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Square to Square Charity Cycle Challenge.
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A TEAM of Island firefighters was in the charity hot-seat on Saturday at the start of their charity challenge.
The team cycled around the Island visiting every fire station on the first leg of SQ2SQ 2008, their Square to Square cycling endurance challenge.
Firefighters pedal from St Thomas’ Square in Newport to St Peter’s Vatican Square in Rome, more than 1,400 miles that they hope to complete in 14 days.
Already they have raised nearly £60,000 – more than double their original target – to expand local diagnosis, treatment and care of cancer patients.
The challenge is dedicated to the memory of Island film director Anthony Minghella, who died in London after a cancer operation and has the endorsement of his parents Eddie and Gloria Minghella.
The team of ten was being sent off at 7pm on Saturday evening by dignitaries headed by the Island’s Lord Lieutenant Maj Gen Martin White.
The firefighters take with them an IW Council flag to present to the mayor of Ostellato in Italy when they complete their journey that will take them across the Alps.
• Pictures from our online gallery www.iwcpgallery.co.uk below. Click on the image for a larger version.