A Reading firefighter is taking part in the London Marathon to raise funds for the charity that helped him save his career after losing his hearing.
Steve Mintern has been serving the community as a firefighter for 27 years but feared it may all be over when he lost his hearing in just 24 hours in 2008.
Steve, currently based at Dee Road Fire Station in Reading, was able to return to work thanks to the help of his family, colleagues and the use of hearing aids and support from the charity Action on Hearing Loss.
Steve said: “It just seems right to be able to give a little back and say thank you. I will also be 50 next year and thought it would be cool to do a marathon in my 50th year. Any donation will be much appreciated.”
On Sunday 23 April, he will take on his first full marathon to raise much-needed funds for Action on Hearing Loss – a charity that supports people in the position that he and his family were in.
With the support of the charity and his colleagues at Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS), he became one of the very first double hearing aid wearers in the country to be a fully operationally fit firefighter.
Steve will be fundraising by holding street collections while on duty and fundraising night, including Bingo and hopes to raise £2,000 for the charity.
All money raised will go Action on Hearing Loss who provide support and care in communities and campaign for equality for the one in six people affected by some form of hearing loss across the UK. Supporting him on the day will be his wife Tina and his two children, Jack, 21 and Lucy 18.
If you would like to support Steve with his fundraising efforts, please visit his Virgin Money Giving page.
You can read Steve’s full story here: https://www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/news-and-events/all-regions/press-releases/local-firefighter-to-take-on-marathon-for-charity.aspx
