A FIREFIGHTER from New Cumnock has managed to complete the whole of the 10k Irvine Beach while wearing his full work gear – trousers, boots, jacket and heat-resistant helmet included.

Robbie Gilmour donned his full range of personal protective equipment to raise more than £800 for two charities, The Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research UK, the latter of which he chose in memory of his gran who sadly passed away from the disease earlier this year.

The 25-year-old said that although the race was “very tough”, he was “happy” that both charities were able to profit from his efforts.

Cumnock Chronicle:

Robbie told the Chronicle: “I lost my lost my gran in March to cancer so I decided I was going to do something to give back to the charity that helped her.

“When I came up with the idea of doing it for the Fire Fighter charity too, I thought I may as well do it in my full kit. The work that the Fire Fighters charity does is absolutely amazing so I’m glad that both charities have managed to gain something out of it.

“The first couple of miles were very tough but apart from that it wasn’t too bad. The fire gear is good at keeping the heat out but it also kept the heat in at times and I couldn’t see for the sweat. I had to take my helmet off a couple of times and scoosh myself with water.”

Robbie took just an hour and 22 mins to accomplish the 10k, and credits the training he put in beforehand as well as the support he received from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service as the reason why he was able to ace it.

He continued: “I’d been practicing for a couple of months before it, some of the runs with my kit on and some without. I was aiming for an hour so I was just a wee bit over but I’m still happy.

Cumnock Chronicle:

“I went out my runs in New Cumnock while I was still on call so if my pager went, I would’ve had to run back to the station. A few people always gave me a toot and a wave.

“When I first came up with the idea, my colleagues thought I was crazy but once I explained why I wanted to do it and what charities it was for, the support I received from the fire service all the way up to Area Commander, Ian McMeekin, was absolutely phenomenal.

“I got a good sense of achievement out of it. After I finished, I had a nice, long shower.”