PEDAL power is pulling in the pounds for a group of firefighters who undertook a 155-mile cycling challenge to raise cash for charity.

The team from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service who tackled the Ride 4 Guy challenge raised funds for DKMS, an international non-profit bone marrow donor centre based in Germany.

Already, their appeal has raised £1,390 towards a £2,000 target. With Gift Aid, the total is now more than £1,683.

DKMS provides donor kits for potential stem cell donors, with each one costing £40.

Firefighters are supporting the charity after DWFRS watch manager Guy Tadman from Trowbridge was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia last November.

Mr Tadman, 44, has served in Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service for 22 years.

Setting out from Lyme Regis fire station on Thursday (September 17), the team visited four fire stations throughout Dorset and Wiltshire en route to the finishing point at Cricklade.

The cyclists were met at Trowbridge fire station by Mr Tadman, who is now in recovery, after receiving a bone marrow stem cell donation from his younger son Josh in April.

He said: "This is a tremendous effort from fire fighter colleagues, and I cannot thank them enough for their fundraising for the charity.”

Ride 4 Guy was organised by crew manager Mike Cleaver, from Devizes fire station, whose day job as a member of the supplies team bases him at Trowbridge.

The team of cyclists included Mr Cleaver, Stuart King, Bob Waller, Justin Barrett, Richard Lavens, David Duxbury, Andrew Olsen, David Foxwell, Jane Leonard and Wayne Jennings with Sarah Leyden, Kath Fry, Tracy Jenkins and Sally Marshall providing back up support.

Seven of the team completed the whole route, while three joined for part of the journey. They completed the challenge in around 13 hours with stops.

The event was originally due to be held on May 1 but had to be postponed because of the Covid 19 pandemic.

Mr Cleaver said: “Although Guy was able to get his stem cell donation from family, many people are reliant on the national register.

"We wanted to do this in Guy’s name to support DKMS and hopefully help others facing the same challenge as him.

"I am hoping for a target of £2,000 to support the DKMS charity."

To donate to the team’s fundraising, visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/Ride4Guy – to register as a stem cell donor, visit the DKMS website at www.dkms.org.uk