8:38am Saturday 17th May 2008
BIRCHWOOD firefighters dressed in their full fire kits will be among those taking part in the Great Manchester Run tomorrow.
Matt Kindon, aged 21, and Matt Hancock, aged 30, will be running the 10km in their uniforms, including breathing appartus cylinders weighing 18kg on their backs, in aid of the Fire Fighters Charity.
The two men are also climbing Mont Blanc next month - the highest mountain in Western Europe.
They hope to raise £10,000 for the charity, which helps serving and retired firefighters and their by providing accommodation, rehabiltiation, therapy and financial aid to those in need.
Matt Kindon said: "Matt is used to running about 10km every day, but that is usally in shorts and T-shirt but he has taken to running laps in the grounds of the fire station in his full fire kit in preparation.
"I'm used to sprinting and have never run anywhere near that far but I'm looking forward to the challenge."
He added: "It's not going to be the weight that bothers us it will be the heat - when we signed up we didn't consider it was going to be sunny!"
l To sponsor the two fundraising firefighters visit: justgiving.com/montblanc08