Dublin Fire Brigade gets set to run from Dublin to Belfast while pushing a half-tonne pump…

The lads and ladies of the Dublin Fire Brigade already do enough to help out the people, but they’re getting set to run from Dublin to Belfast while pushing a half-tonne pump all in the name of charity.

On August 1, 48 fire-fighting men and women of the Dublin Fire Brigade are going to run from Swords Pavilions to the Kings Hall in Belfast all in the name of charity. A mere 168km on a nice summers day, shouldn’t be a problem, right? Well, the problem (for us mere mortals) is that they are doing it non-stop whilst pushing a 1/2 tonne fire pump. Needless to say, it’s not your average walk in the park. So why are they going to all this hassle? The Fire Services have a long history of raising money for worthy causes through pump pushing. Some of the earlier events are Northern Ireland Fire Service running to Dublin in 1976 and the Dublin Fire Brigade running to Galway in 2002, while wearing breathing apparatus (pictured below). So far the lads have had their Launch with the Dublin Mayor in the Mansion house (pictured below) and they’ve been invited up to the Assembly’s Health Committee in Parliament Buildings in Belfast to promote this year’s World Police and Fire Games. The Games is the third largest international multi-sport event in the world (after the Olympics and the World Masters). It is almost three times the size of the Commonwealth Games in terms of competitor numbers and is expected to attract over 25,000 people this year. So that’s the what, what’s the why? The DFB Pump Push 2013 is aiming to raise funds and awareness for 3 brilliant home-grown charities including:

• IMNDA – The Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association, this worthy group provide help and support to patients and families of those suffering from this debilitating disease.
• CanTeen Ireland – This superb small charity provides help and support to teenagers who have cancer.
• SoS – Suicide or Survive - This suicide awareness group helps provide support and counselling to those in need.

The arrival in Belfast will be shown on the BBC as part of their coverage of the World Police & Fire Games. For more information on the Dublin Fire Brigade’s pump push check out their Facebook page. They’re also twittering away on #pumppush2013 and they have a my charity button for those who'd like to donate which can be found by clicking here. From everyone here at JOE we'd like to wish the Dublin Fire Brigade the best of luck!