‘Be a Hero for a Day’ challenge by firefighters

Noel McKee and his colleagues in the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service are organising the programme to raise money for Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke (NICHS).

There will be a range of fire appliances, NIFRS equipment and display units on show along with the Specialist Rescue Team and Road Rescue Team who will be doing live road traffic extrication demonstrations. Firefighters will be on hand to promote community safety and fire safety advice to the public. U105 radio will be broadcasting live from the location.

To promote community health and wellbeing NIFRS is working in partnership with a number of health agencies such as the Blood Transfusion Service, Action on Hearing Loss and Aware Defeat Depression, who will also be there to carry out free general health tests.

The Dairy Council will also be offering a ‘Pint for a Pint’ scheme so anyone who signs up to the blood donation or organ transplant register will get a pint of milk or milk shake as a reward.

Noel McKee, Whitla Fire Station, NIFRS, said: “As a fire and rescue service we work tirelessly to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community. I’ve been working with NICHS to help raise money for the charity and also to raise awareness of its new prevention campaign to reduce the incidences of chest, heart and stroke-related illnesses in Northern Ireland.

“At the fun day there are so many ways to be a hero for the day by taking on board fire safety advice, by signing up to blood donation or by signing the organ donation register. By working together we can be a safer and healthier community.

“A sponsored ‘Pedal around the Peninsula’ will also take place that morning returning to Custom House Square mid afternoon and sponsored spin sessions will also be ongoing throughout the day.

“I am encouraging as many people as possible to ‘Be a Hero for the Day’ and come out and support us in our efforts to raise money for this very worthwhile cause”.

The event kicks off at 12 noon lasting until 4pm.