A team of 25 West Midlands firefighters and 25 paramedics from the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity are taking part in an intense endurance challenge to raise funds for charity.
The challenge starts at 5pm on Friday 16th September underneath the bandstand at Birmingham’s Brindleyplace, where 25 firefighters and 25 paramedics will each run for one hour in full kit on a human hamster wheel to raise vital funds for the blood cancer charity Cure Leukaemia, The Fire Fighters Charity and the Midlands Air Ambulance.
The human hamster wheel was built for an act that featured on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent and will now be on full show in Birmingham city centre. The wheel was previously used when the challenge was carried out in 2014, raising over £7,000, and has since been repaired and prepared for use by the fire services transport engineering workshops staff.
Former leukaemia patient Watch Commander Adam Joyce, who came up with the idea, said: “I was overwhelmed by the support we received from the local community, colleagues and other partners last time, so I wanted to repeat the challenge but add a twist! I’m also hoping we can smash the fundraising record we set last time for some really great causes.
“Without Cure Leukaemia I would not be here now. The work they do for leukaemia patients around the region directly helps save lives and I want other people to hear the fantastic three words I heard all those years ago: ‘You are cured’.”
Karen Baker, critical care paramedic for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: “Each air ambulance mission we undertake costs on average £2,500, all of which is funded by generous donations. Fundraising therefore is vitally important to our ongoing operations, so this challenge, in partnership with the Fire Service and Cure Leukaemia, is going to be a great event to raise funds and awareness of three extremely important charities in the region.”
Alex Perrins from Brindleyplace added: “We are very proud to welcome Adam back to Brindleyplace, and all of the fifty people involved from both teams. Although our bandstand is normally used by musical acts to entertain the crowds, the Human Hamster Wheel is going to be even more of a spectacle! With the Birmingham Chilli Festival starting here at 11am on Saturday 17th, there’s likely to be thousands of extra visitors to help cheer them all on and raise as much money as possible for Brindleyplace’s partner charity, Cure Leukaemia – and of course the Fire Fighters Charity and Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.”
To donate to the joint-fundraising efforts, visit the Virgin Money Giving page or text HAMS16 £10’ to 70070. Follow the action online using #HamsterWheel, or head down and show your support!