Newbury firefighter given award for running to all Berkshire’s fire stations in one day
A local firefighter has been awarded for his efforts in raising over £3,000 for the Fire Fighters charity by running the equivalent to an ultramarathon.
Martyn Ainsworth, who is based at Newbury Fire Station, became one of the first people to run Station2Atation, to all of Berkshire’s wholetime fire stations in one day earlier this year.
In May, colleagues Martyn and Shaun Foley, also friends since childhood, set their target of running to all 12 stations in 12 hours, to raise £1200 for the Fire Fighters charity.
They were raising money for the charity that helped him after he broke his arm in three places during a freak accident.
Overall the pair succeeded their expectations, running 92.88 kilometres in only nine hours and 40 minutes.
The challenge saw the duo run from Newbury to Theale, Whitley Wood, Wokingham Road, Caversham Road, Wokingham, Bracknell, Ascot, Windsor, Langley and Slough, before finishing in Maidenhead.
Martyn and Shaun were presented with the Fundraising Initiative of the Year Award at the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) Awards Ceremony, held on Friday November 21.
The ceremony in Reading provided an opportunity to recognise the exceptional work of staff, volunteers and partners during the past year.
Chair of Royal Berkshire Fire Authority, councillor Jeff Brooks, who presented awards at the event said: “I’m delighted that we were able to recognise so many fantastic public servants tonight. While many good deeds across our communities go unseen, tonight was about shining a spotlight on some of those who help Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service do its vital work in keeping people safe.
“This includes frontline staff delivering services to the public, members of support departments, volunteers, colleagues from partner organisations and members of the public. I am immensely proud of all our staff as we continue to keep people safe and protected across Berkshire”.
Other award-winners included:
James Hunt: received the Excellence in Public Service Award for going above and beyond in his work to improve firefighter safety and health, through his work on contamination awareness and reduction.
Charlotte Moore and the Capital Projects Team: received Project of the Year for their work on the redevelopment of the Whitley Wood Training Centre to deliver a first class, leading facility and capability.
The Trauma Support Team: won the Team of the Year Award for helping staff after major incidents, disasters and other traumatic events to help minimise distress.
Geoff Bushnell: received the Shane Burton Award for a Career Devoted to Public Service, for devoting himself to looking after the local community as a key member of Mortimer Fire Station for the past 27 years.
