A BASINGSTOKE man will be undertaking a fundraiser to provide a helping hand for an emergency services charity marking a special anniversary.

Lamar Morgan, from Winklebury, will be taking on the 75mile challenge, an event that is designed to celebrate a milestone for The Fire Fighters Charity.

This year marks the 75th year of the charity’s formation, so it is challenging people to travel for 75 miles, in any way they like, while raising money for the cause.

The 21-year-old said: “It would be a great achievement for myself and for the charity; it isn’t just about the fundraising.

“It is also about helping people as best as we can, it is good to still support the charity and to have a go.”

The charity is one close to Lamar’s heart as he has been involved with the fire service in one way or another for most of his life.

Starting from being a cadet at Basingstoke Fire Station when he was 12-years-old, before he became a community safety volunteer for four years, ahead of moving on to a full-time job with the service in the logistics department at its Eastleigh headquarters.

Lamar said: “Being in the services is a really good experience, helping other cadets while the new [Basingstoke] fire station was being built.

“I’ve always been happy there, and it’s never been uncomfortable asking a question or getting involved.

“I’m not sure how I’m going to do the miles yet, I’m trying to organise a team effort so that several of my colleagues can make the trip with me. It is a tight-knit team in the emergency services.

“We had the idea to go from fire station to fire station across the Hampshire area on bikes.

“While I’m not a keen cyclist, I enjoy it enough to give it a go, but we haven’t yet planned the route that we want to take.”

The objective initially was to raise £75, but Lamar has surpassed his original target, going over double the amount raised. The total stood at £156 at the time of writing.

The Fire Fighters Charity was set up to help support members of the fire service and other emergency services recovering from illness, injury, or psychological trauma.

To support Lamar and donate to the charity, go to my75miles.everydayhero.com/uk/lamar.