Jonathan Bailey and his Airport Fire Service colleagues wanted to do something that would connect their work with the island and its charities.
‘I have done endurance challenges in the past and enjoy walking long distances, so I decided to float the idea to the other guys,’ said Mr Bailey.
‘To be honest I was quite surprised that they were interested in taking part with me. It’s been in the works since I first came up with the idea a year ago and really it’s just been about trying to get everyone taking part available on the same day.’
Mr Bailey will be completing the walk in his full firefighting kit, including the boots and the breathing apparatus tank which weighs approximately14kg.
The Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation has been supporting and providing compassionate housing for families with premature babies and sick children since 2003.
‘I wanted to do something for a charity and the Priaulx Foundation was the first one I looked into. As I read more about them I realised just how much they do for people,’ said Mr Bailey.
‘As a father, I find it reassuring that if something ever happened to me there would be support available for my daughter.’
The team estimate that the walk, which will start at 3.30am at North Beach and then follow the Saffery Walk route around the cliffs and coast road, will take them anywhere between 14 and 16 hours to complete, depending on the weather conditions.
A support car will be meeting them in car parks along the way to provide water and food. They have been walking for the past few months in preparation but the heat has made it more difficult than it should have been.
‘I was walking in 30 degrees and by the end of it I thought I was going to faint,’ said Mr Bailey.
‘I really hope it’s supported by people. It’s a really good cause and it will make the pain in our feet by the end of it worth it.
‘We’ll be happy if people drive by and shout encouragement or even honk.’
The walk is scheduled to take place on 3 October.
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