Bude to St Just: firefighters finish epic 200km coast run

Blisters, sleepless hours on cliff-top paths, and a distance most of us would think twice about driving. That is what Green Watch from St Austell Community Fire Station signed up for when they set off to run the length of the Cornish coast, all in aid of children fighting cancer.

From Bude to St Just, day and night

The ‘East to West’ South West Coast Path Firefighter Run began at Bude Community Fire Station and followed the coast path west, through day and night, to St Just Community Fire Station. Green Watch were joined along the way by colleagues from across Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service.

The route ran to more than 200km with over 30,000 ft of climb along the way, taking in the cliffs, coves and headlands of the north and west coasts before the team crossed the finish line at St Just at 2.30pm on Saturday, to what they described as an awesome welcome.

The team behind the team

📷Credit: St Austell Community Fire Station

The runners were quick to point to everyone who helped get them there. Family, friends and colleagues supported the effort, whether running alongside the watch, baking, or cooking food to keep them going. Livingstone Electrics Ltd helped out with equipment and essentials, and others pitched in behind the scenes throughout.

A cause close to home

The run was raising money for the Children’s Cancer Unit Fund, part of the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity. The unit at Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro provides clinical, practical, financial and emotional support to children and their families, allowing them to stay close to their support network in Cornwall while receiving treatment. Members of Green Watch have been personally affected by children’s cancer, which was part of what pushed them to take the challenge on.

Donations through the team’s JustGiving page have passed £4,330, with Gift Aid taking the total higher still, from more than 165 donations and counting. The page remains open for anyone who wants to add to it.

📷Credit: St Austell Community Fire Station