FIREFIGHTERS planning to cycle between Newport and Rome are set to make a major announcement about the vital hospital equipment they hope their effort will provide for Islanders.
Those behind the Square to Square project – a 1,400 mile trip from St Thomas Square to Vatican Square next year – will make their announcement at an event on Wednesday October 31 aimed at gathering support for local businesses.
The venue is St Mary’s Hospital, Newport, where the £25,000 equipment they hope to provide from their marathon effort will be based. Also present will be the Wessex Cancer Trust who are partners in the Square to Square initiative.
Newport station watch manager Kelvin Wright, a spokesman for Square to Square said: “The aim of this launch is to really kick-start the fundraising.
“We launched the overall idea during the IW Cycling Festival in September and since then interest has really grown. It is becoming a massive event.
“What we need to do now is to really get to grips with the fundraising aspect and this is what the forthcoming St Mary’s event is all about.”
Among sponsorship opportunities for businesses and individuals will be the chance to advertise on specially designed drill tops that will be worn at all Square to Square fundraising events.
“We will be extremely active between now and next August so those sponsoring any of 20 squares on the drill tops and t-shirts or a sleeve will get plenty of exposure and will be backing a really worthwhile project at the same time,” Kelvin said.
“Each square can be bought for for £300 and a sleeve for £500. One sleeve and a number of squares have been sold already but we need more.”
Note to editors. The media is invited to attend the launch event at St Mary’s Hospital respiratory unit on October 31 between 4.30 and 6.30pm.
