Eden-based fire service crew manager Steve Wharton is blazing a trail across the country as he and friend Paul Cooper cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats in aid of two chosen good causes.
Steve, who is aged 52 and has more than two decades of service under his belt for Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, is embarking on his latest bid to collect cash for The Fire Fighters Charity. Paul, a 42-year-old British Gypsum shift fitter, is raising funds for Cumbria Family Support, for which his wife, Sarah, works as an office manager.
Steve and Paul will follow an official 970-mile end-to-end route. They started their epic two-wheel challenge on Sunday and are aiming to finish on Saturday.
In between they will aim to have a night at their respective homes in Appleby. “It’ll be a case of getting home and getting everything washed. If it’s going to be hot then we’ll be getting through two pairs of clothing a day,” Steve said.
“We’ve been doing quite a lot of training — probably not enough!” he joked. “We cracked 100 miles a day during that time. On some days we’ll be looking at doing 150 miles.
“Let’s get shot of the wind,” he added, mindful of recent blustery conditions. “If it’s a northerly it’s going to crucify us!” Ultimately, he stated: “It is a bit of a challenge. But we will boss it!”
Steve has already proved he can go the extra mile — and then some. Last year he won a Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Award, in the emergency services category, for leading a brave rescue of a 13-year-old boy, more than 20 minutes after the teen was first submerged in the River Eden. And he has previously helped to boost The Fire Fighters Charity coffers by scaling Murton Pike in full kit and breathing apparatus during a 12-hour non-stop sponsored event.
He is married to Caroline and has two children: 25-year-old Laura, and son Dan, aged 23 Paul is an accomplished cyclist and is a member of Kendal Cycling Club and has been a top 50 finisher in the gruelling 112–mile Lake District Fred Whitton.
He and Sarah have seven-year-old twins, Isaac and Grace. Steve and Paul will visit a number of fire stations en route, including St Ives and Knutsford.
They are being supported by a host of Eden businesses, including Appleby-based Eden Commercials, which has donated a van being used as a support vehicle; Capstick Carpets, N&J Dowding Butchers, Glyn Jones funeral directors; along with Waitings, A. W. Jenkinson, and Arragons Cycle Centre in Penrith.
Steve’s JustGiving page is here and Paul’s is here.
