Hot-seat heroes raise charity cash

FUNDRAISING firefighters . . . the team hand out cheques to their chosen charities

FUNDRAISING firefighters presented charities with donations worth more than £27,000 following their heroic 1,300-mile European cycle challenge.

The nine-strong "Blazing Saddles" team from Oldham Fire Station in Lees Road, took on a gruelling course from Oldham's twin town of Kranj, in Slovenia, back to the borough in just 11 days, earlier this year. It's the third time they have tackled a fundraising challenge, this time raising money for five charities close to their hearts.

The Stillbirth and neonatal death charity (Sands), Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, Macmillan and the Fire Fighters Charity all benefited.

The team presented representatives from each of the chosen charities with a cheque and showed a video of the group's incredible efforts during a special event attended by the mayor of Oldham, Councillor Derek Heffernan.

Firefighter Lee Cropper said: "We'd like to thank anyone who donated. In the three events we have done since 2013, we've raised over £55,000 for seven charities."

He added that the group are planning to have a year off from cycling but won't be taking it easy for too long.

Lee added: "We plan to have a break due to the sheer scale of organising the events but in the new year we are starting looking at sponsors for Blazing Saddles Four ready for summer, 2018."