MarsdenEight firefighters took part in a sponsored 14-mile walk to raise money for the Royal Marsden Hospital as a way to say thank you to the hospital for the care provided to their colleague Paul Westcott.

Wandsworth Fire Station’s red watch put on their full firefighting gear and walked between the Royal Marsden hospital sites in Chelsea and Sutton on Sunday (March 19) and have already raised £3,000.

The crew took part in the Marsden March in aid of their red watch colleague firefighter Paul Westcott, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Paul, who joined the Brigade in February 1990, was diagnosed with throat cancer in October 2015 and, in May 2016, returned to work on light duties.

Sadly in October 2016, Paul was taken ill with severe headaches and was later diagnosed with terminal cancer after a tumour was found behind his eye. As a result, he medically retired from the Brigade on Tuesday 28 February 2017.

Watch Manager Jonathan Parker, from Wandsworth red watch, said: “We have always wanted to do some fundraising for The Royal Marsden because that is where Paul received treatment.

“Somebody mentioned about The Marsden March and it was around the time Paul was told his cancer was terminal, so there was no question about us taking part in the fundraiser.

“Paul was a wonderful colleague and we miss working with him on a daily basis. We hope that by taking part in The Marsden March in our full fire gear, we can raise as much money as possible for The Royal Marsden so it can continue the work it does.”