Laurencekirk firefighters take on 24-hour charity rowing challenge

A group of Aberdeenshire firefighters have swapped their fire engine for a rowing machine to raise money for The Archie Foundation. 

Nine crew members from Laurencekirk Community Fire Station have been taking part in a 24-hour rowing challenge.

It started at 10 am today (Friday, March 22), with the firefighters working in teams to row continuously throughout the day and night.

The challenge was organised by Rob Simpson and his colleagues, including both full-time and retained firefighters who are based on Station Road in Laurencekirk. 

Rob said: “We are rowing in pairs for up to three hours a time and will keep going through the night tonight.

“The Archie Foundation is an important charity which is local to us in Aberdeen but it also supports children and families in Tayside and the Highlands.

"Many of us have children and could find ourselves in need of support from Archie at any time. 

“We have opened the fire station doors to welcome visitors to come in and offer their support and hopefully add a few coins to our fundraising buckets!

"We hope to raise as much as possible over the 24 hours while challenging ourselves to keep on rowing, even in the wee small hours.” 

All the money raised will support babies, children and families at The Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital, Tayside Children’s Hospital in Dundee and the Highland Children’s Unit in Inverness.

Maisie Mann, fundraising officer at The Archie Foundation, said: “This is a fantastic challenge by the fire service crew and we wish them lots of luck with their fundraiser!

"Hopefully the local community will get behind them and cheer them on as they clock up the miles on the rowing machine.” 

To support the Laurencekirk Community Fire Station’s fundraising challenge, visit their Just Giving page.