Marathon effort from Goole's own 999 guys

Published on 5th April 2007 in News

Two members of Goole's emergency service crews are getting ready to face the ultimate athletic challenge.

Gary Sidwell, from Carlton, who works at Goole Hospital's ambulance station and Andy Masterman, a Goole firefighter from Snaith, will run the Flora London Marathon on Sunday, April 22.

Gary is raising money for the Help the Hospices charity after taking patients to hospices as part of his job.

He said: "After transferring one patient in particular to the Martin House children's hospice, I was so moved that I went home and I said 'I'm going to get fit and run the London Marathon.'."

Since then, Gary has embarked upon a gruelling training programme, and has lost six stones in weight through a range of activities including running, cycling and swimming.

"I had to change a hell of a lot in order to get fit for this marathon," said Gary.

"Diet was a big issue - I had to go from having a high-fat, bad diet to a controlled, low-fat diet. I have received massive training support from a bike shop in Selby, and I'd like to thank the team for all their help in this. My colleagues at Goole Ambulance Station have been a big support as well."

Gary has been tasked with raising £1,600 in total, and has so far raised around £900, so is appealing for readers' help.

If you would like to reward Gary for all the hard work he has put into preparing himself for this challenge and sponsor him in the London Marathon, you can contact him on 07913 935151, or send donations to Gary Sidwell, c/o Goole Ambulance Station, Goole Hospital, Woodland Avenue, Goole, DN14 6RX.

Meanwhile, fourth-time marathon runner Andy Masterman is hoping to raise money for the Fire Service National Benevolent Fund - and beat his wife to the finish line.

Andy, one of 11 Goole Viking Striders to run in the London Marathon, has already run two marathons in Nottingham and one in Edinburgh, all of which were 26.2 miles.

This year, he is hoping to finish inside 3 hours and 15 minutes.

"The hardest bit is after 21 miles," said Andy, who is a crew manager at Goole Fire Station. "The last five or six miles are really difficult - you've got nothing left."

Around 30 people are expected to travel to Goole and Andy said: "Hopefully, the crowds will drag me through."

Julie, Andy's wife, will be among the other runners and Andy said: "I've just got to make sure she doesn't beat me."

Andy's sponsorship money will go to the fire service's benevolent fund, which supports serving and retired firefighters and their families.

Anyone wanting to support Andy can contact him at Goole Fire Station on 01405 752100 or by going to the station itself on Larsen Road.

The Flora London Marathon (26.2 miles in total) takes place on Sunday, April 22.