Firefighters raise thousands for charity but await decision on Guinness world records

Four firefighters and their support team raised thousands of pounds for charity at the Ipswich Half Marathon but are waiting to hear if their gruelling endurance records will be officially recognised by Guinness
Published: 31 Oct 2024

Four intrepid firefighters who set new records for running in fire equipment at this year’s Ipswich half marathon also raised thousands of pounds for charity.

Ash Buxton, Paul Shattock, George Trott and Grant Whitehead broke existing records and set the bar for a brand new category with their efforts at the September race.

They are now waiting for confirmation from Guiness World Records that their efforts have officially set new records.

The four firefighters with the Mayor of Ipswich and holding a union flag.
George Trott, left, Grant Whitehead, Ash Peacock and Paul Shattock with Mayor of Ipswich Councillor Elango Elavalakan after the recent half marathon. (Picture: SFRS)

But alongside their record attempts was a fundraising effort in aid of the Firefighters Charity and Cancer Research UK, for which the figures are now in.

Each of the four, plus support team members Jimmy Ho, Emily-Jane Stearn, Sally Hammond, and Jaime Cryer, had JustGiving accounts where well-wishers could donate.

The support team also joined them on the run on September 22 to raise money with collection buckets from the crowds lining the route.

The JustGiving accounts raised a total of £6,026 while the street collections raised £237 - £183 for the Firefighters Charity and £54 for Cancer Research.

Team leader Sally, a Group Manager with SFRS, said: “This is a fantastic amount and we are hugely grateful to everyone who got behind the team and donated.

“It was a phenomenal achievement by Paul, Ash, Grant and George, but it was also very much a team effort.

“Now we just have to wait and see whether Guinness will formally recognise the records.”

The runners and their support team with the Mayor of Ipswich
The runners and their support team with Mayor of Ipswich Councillor Elango Elavalakan. (Picture: SFRS)

The evidence required by Guinness World Records, which includes microchip timings, witness statements from officials, photo and video evidence, is now being collated and presented to Guinness but it could be some time yet before it is known if the records will be recognised.

Paul, a Station Manager at Bury St Edmunds, completed his run in three hours and 16 minutes wearing full firefighting kit whilst under air from breathing apparatus. This is a brand new record category.

Grant and George, who are firefighters at Ipswich East station, each completed the run together in firefighting kit and carrying breathing apparatus in three hours, five minutes and 27 seconds – beating the previous record of three hours and 10 minutes.

Ash completed the course in PT kit and carrying breathing apparatus in two hours 20 minutes, beating the previous record of two hours and 22 minutes.

A full set of fire kit – comprising boots, protective trousers and smock, and helmet - weighs around 100lbs (45kg), while fully-charged breathing apparatus weighs around 26lbs (12kg).

Councillor Steve Wiles, Suffolk County Council Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: “Suffolk can be extremely proud of these four firefighters and their team.

“What they all achieved was not just a superb example of endurance and teamwork, it raised a great deal of money for two very worthwhile causes. I take my hat off to them.”