A TEAM from Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Training and Development Centre in Devizes are taking part in a marathon challenge for the Fire Fighters Charity.

The six instructors, all Watch Managers, will be running a marathon above the London Underground, following a route that runs between 42 Tube stations.

Simon Jupp of Devizes, Sam Legg-Bagg of Whitley, Jason Nightingale of Hullavington, Wayne Presley of Marlborough, Matty Maggs of Trowbridge and Scott Taylor of Royal Wootton Basset will run 21 miles between Tube stations as well as another six miles by running into each station platform and back.

To make the run more of a challenge, the team will be taking part in the run on Friday, December 4, when Christmas shoppers will be flooding the streets of London.

Mr Nightingale said: “I’d heard of the route and thought it sounded like a great way to raise money for charity. A lot of colleagues and indeed the instructors have been helped by the Fire Fighters Charity at some point, so it took little convincing to get the others to join me. I’m confident about the distance, but it will be tricky working our way through the crowds.”

Being a regular runner, Mr Nightingale broke the news to the team about the idea for the marathon run.

Mr Legg-Bagg, 32, said: “Jason has done a number of running challenges. He got the idea when reading an article in a magazine about the unofficial marathon. He thought it would be a good idea and we all fancied a challenge. It is quite hard to know what we are up against. We are worried about the stop and start when waiting for the team members running down onto the tube platform and back up. It will be interesting.”

To donate to the team you can visit their Virgin Just Giving page at www.virginmoneygiving.com/thewombles1.