Ladder trek brings firefighters together for bucket list fundraiser

More than £2,000 has been raised in just one day for The Fire Fighters Charity and the mother of a Shoreham firefighter who has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer, allowing her to complete her bucket list.

David Mayfield, who serves as a wholetime firefighter with London Fire Brigade on Green Watch at Norbury Fire Station, as well as serving his home community at Shoreham as a retained (on-call) firefighter embarked on a trek from Shoreham to Brighton on Saturday 26 September carrying a 13.5m ladder.

He was joined by colleagues from London Fire Brigade as well as West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service who helped him carry the 100kg ladder along the 10-mile route.

He was inspired to carry out the fundraiser after his mother, Debby Mayfield, was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. Tackling the diagnosis head on she has drawn up a list of things that she would like to complete.

David said: “I was completely taken aback by how much support we received – not just from my crew in London and the retained at Shoreham who came to complete the walk with me, but by all the people who came out to wave us along our way and donate.

“On a personal level, it was very emotional seeing all those people outside Shoreham Fire Station when we set off. And then arriving into Brighton at the pier, where Mum was waiting, was really quite special. She was incredibly thankful that everyone had gone to such effort for her.

“So far, her bucket list includes things like an afternoon tea out and getting her first tattoo!

“But equally we wanted to support The Fire Fighters Charity as well. This is a cause close to many people’s hearts – they provide such a vital service to both serving and former firefighters and their families. It is important that their work is able to continue.”

You can support David’s online fundraising here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/24kgapowpc

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