Fire officers pedal their way into the local record books

WEST Yorkshire fire officers completed a charity bike ride in 15 hours and 11 minutes – three hours faster than a previous record.

The 16 officers cycled in pairs on a tandem, relay style, around all 48 fire stations to raise money for Parkinson’s UK and The Fire Fighters Charity.

The previous record was set by Bradford’s Odsal red watch.

The ride was set up in memory of emergency control operator Trudy Ramsden, who died of a brain tumour in 2006.

This year’s 250-mile ride was organised to support research into Parkinson’s disease, which has affected a friend and colleague of the officers. Watch commander Leanne Owen was recently diagnosed with the disease.

Those who took part included Bradford commander Richard Hall; Wakefield manager Dave Teggart; South Elmsall and Hemsworth commander Stephen Fealy ; Station manager Russ Hepton; Group manager Martin Speed; Station manager Christopher Bell; Pontefract and Knottingley commander Pete Owen; Bradford commander Jim Butters; Cleckheaton commander Mark Hitchcock; Manager Martin Langan; Stanningley commander Dave Smith; Bingley commander Andy Clayton; Station manager Charlie Housley and Leeds assistant district manager Graham Heath.