Land Rover enthusiasts are invited to join Norfolk fire fighters for a country drive this Autumn to raise funds for charity. Participants can sign up now for October’s Land Rover event which will follow a route from Sandringham Estate to Holkham Hall.

Funds raised will go to the Fire Fighters Charity which offers a range of services including rehabilitation, health care, advice and support to current and former fire service staff, volunteers and their families.

Those taking part donate £10 per vehicle on the day and are given a map and directions of the rural route. Stop off points include exclusive access to Massingham Airfield en route.

Grant Cotterell, Clive Wells and Bob Ayers at King’s Lynn Fire station are all Land Rover enthusiasts and have taken part in similar charity events so they decided to arrange their own to support the Fire fighters charity.

Grant said: “Clive has owned Land Rovers for years but Bob and I are relative newcomers. We all enjoy driving the vehicles but I enjoy taking mine apart and putting it back together. Earlier this year I had a serious back problem and had to have major surgery. This meant that I wasn’t able to drive my Series 3 or do any maintenance. My journey back to fitness is progressing well but I needed the support of The Fire Fighters Charity to help my recovery.”

Grant continued: “Over my years of service I have always contributed to the Fire Fighters Charity through regular donation from my pay and yearly car wash events. After my operation I contacted the Charity so that I could visit one of the rehabilitation centres. It is only when you experience first-hand the fantastic facilities and the focused and dedicated treatment the staff provide that you truly understand and appreciate its value, they have helped me in my journey to get back to operational fitness.”

The event is being organised by Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, Western District, and starts at 10 am from Sandringham Visitors Centre on Sunday 22 October. The event is open to any Land Rover, including a Range Rover, Discovery, Freelander, Defender or Series, old or new, plus modified vehicles.

Councillor Margaret Dewsbury, chairman of Norfolk County Council's Communities Committee, said: "This charity drive will allow Land Rover enthusiasts to meet up and visit some of Norfolk's finest countryside while raising money for a great cause. The Fire Fighters Charity does some great work and we hope Norfolk residents will support this event."

There will be various vehicle category competitions with trophies to the winners but there will be a special section for the Best Mascot. To register for the event then email charityLRrun@fire.norfolk.gov.uk<mailto:charityLRrun@fire.norfolk.gov.uk> to secure a place. Places are limited so register early.

The event is being supported by Optima Stainless Steel, Hunters Land Rover of King’s Lynn and Adrian Flux 4 x 4 Insurance.

Optima Stainless Steel are supporting the event by developing a commemorative plaque which will be available on the day. Warren Boore of Optima said: “During a visit from Grant Cotterell to support our fire safety arrangements we showed him one of our development promotional products. We are pleased to support the event by designing and producing a unique plaque which can easily be attached to a vehicle and will capture the route, the date and the Fire Fighter’s Charity making it a special memento of the event.”

Andi Woolley, Head of Business for Hunters Land Rover King’s Lynn said: “We are really proud & honoured to be given the opportunity to support this event with the Fire Service. The Fire Fighters Charity is a great cause for outstanding people who work in and support our community. We look forward to seeing, supporting and taking part in the Land Rover spectacle as it winds its way around Norfolk”.

Gerry Bucke from Adrian Flux Insurance, based in East Winch, said: “The Fire Fighters Charity is a fantastic organisation and we’re delighted to be supporting this cause at next month’s Land Rover Run. As our company headquarters is based in West Norfolk, we particularly wanted to support local crews through our mutual interest in these 4x4 vehicles.”