FIREFIGHTERS from Axminster are well on their way to completing a 160 mile walk in aid of the son of one of their own, and their second day, Friday, July 7, saw the crew pay a visit to their colleagues at Newton Abbot Fire Station.

The walk, which is in aid of Axminster firefighter Josh Moore, whose son, Idris, was born 30 weeks premature and, as such, suffered damage to his brain and has since been diagnosed as Cerebral Palsy, has seen the great and the good from Axminster Fire Station travel from one end of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service' patch to the other.

Day one saw the crew depart from Camels Head Fire Station and head toward Paignton Fire Station; a journey of more than 13 hours and over 60,000 steps, and all the while stopping off at various stations along the way.

Firefighters from Axminster round out day one at Paignton Fire Station
Firefighters from Axminster round out day one at Paignton Fire Station (Photo by Axminster Fire Station)

The second leg of walk brought the great and the good of Axminster to Newton Abbot, Teignmouth and Dawlish Fire Stations, as well as several others.

Today, Saturday, July 8, the firefighters will be heading toward Chard, via Sidmouth, Seaton, Colton and Axminster, before the final leg of the journey tomorrow, Sunday, July 9.

A TRIP BY THE SEA: Axminster firefighters arrive at Sidmouth as part of their 160 mile charity walk for youngster Idris
A TRIP BY THE SEA: Axminster firefighters arrive at Sidmouth as part of their 160 mile charity walk for youngster Idris (Photo by Axminster Fire Station)

'A massive thank you for the amazing welcome to Sidmouth seafront this morning - our crew were overwhelmed with the support' a spokesman for Axminster Fire Station said.

The final stretch of more than 50 miles will be through Somerset, with the final destination being Frome.

► A full report is to follow in next week's edition of the Mid-Devon Advertiser.


► The Just4Children fundraiser, dubbed 'Independence for Idris', had an initial target of £1,600.

This target was, however, quickly surpassed and the figure now stands at more than £4,000.