Monday, April 11, 2011

 Longest journey by fire engine: charity firefighters sets world record (HD Video)

GREENWICH, UK -- A team of 25 charity firefighters called Follow That Fire Engine (led by Wimbledon man Steve Moore) crossed the finishing line in Greenwich, south-east London, after completing a 30,000-mile round-the-world drive , setting the world record for the Longest journey by fire engine while raising money and awareness for three charities; Macmillan Cancer Support, The Fire Fighters Charity and Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.
Photo: Expedition leader Steve Moore 33, in the driver's seat, celebrates with The Follow That Fire Engine team after setting the new world record for the Longest journey by fire engine.( enlarge photo )

The Guinness world record for the Longest journey by tractor was set by Vasilii Hazkevich (Russia), who covered 21,199 km (13,172 miles) on an unmodified tractor, starting and finishing in Vladimir, Russia.

  Guinness World Records also recognized the longest journey by car using alternative fuel: 3,8137 km (2,3697.19 miles), achieved by Rainer Zietlow, Florian Hilpert, Falk Gunold, Franz Janusiewicz (all Germany) with a Volkswagen Caddy EcoFuel using natural gas.

  The World's Longest Journey by Fire Engine covering 28 countries, was led by Steve Moore from Wimbledon, south-west London.

  The crew:
London to Moscow :Steve Moore, Chris Moore, Ross Shepley-Smith, George Troughton, Ben Battye;
Moscow to Beijing : Steve Moore, Ross Shepley-Smith, Ben Haslett, James Morrow, Dave Orders, Ailsa Fereday;
Beijing to Vientiane : Ross Shepley-Smith, Michelle Mahoney, Paul Barham, Fuad Sulejmanovic;
Vientiane to Singapore : Ross Shepley, Michelle Mahoney, Paul Barham, Lyndsey Baker, Seve Poderoso;
Perth to Brisbane : Steve Moore, Amy Harpin, Louise Mahoney, Paul Barham, Fuad Sulejmanovic;
Auckland to Auckland: Steve Moore, Amy Harpin, Chris Hallward, Kate Bartishel; 
Grays Harbor (US) to Phoenix: Steve Moore, Amy Harpin, Rob Poderoso, Ben Battye, James Morrow;
Phoenix to New York : Steve Moore, Amy Harpin, Gemma Rowlan, Valerie Keith, James Morrow, Steven Shoppman:
   Valencia to London: Steve Moore, Amy Harpin, Mehul, Matt Haynes, James Morrow.

  The 25-strong team crossed the finishing line in Greenwich, south-east London – the same spot where they set off in July last year.

  They worked in shifts to clock up 48,000km (30,000 miles) travelling around the world in a Mercedes 1124 AF donated by Dorset fire and rescue.

  Follow That Fire Engine is dedicated to the memory of Mr Moore's father, firefighter Garth Moore, who died of lung cancer aged 63 and who served in Dorset.

  'We wanted to do something that paid tribute to my father and the charities that related to his life and passing,' said Mr Moore.
  'We've covered gruelling terrain in Mongolia, Russia and Kazakhstan, faced the rainy season in Thailand and Laos, the height of summer in Australia and snow in the USA,' the 33-year-old added.

   Steve told The Docklands:"People's goodwill around the world has been amazing and without that we wouldn't have been able to do it. We had to deal with big fires in Russia and struggled to get through various borders. It was not your average travelling experience but we will miss the good times."

  The round-the-world challenge has been raising money for three charities – The Fire Fighters Charity, Macmillan Cancer Support and the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.

   All donations will go directly to the charities as the crew funded the entire trip, including fuel, food, travelling expenses and getting the engine from one country to another.