Australian Firefighters Run into London: Historic ANZAC Cove to London Memorial Run

MELBOURNE, Australia, May 18/PRNewswire/ --

EVENT: AUSTRLAIAN FIREFIGHTERS RUN INTO LONDON:
HISTORIC ANZAC COVE TO LONDON MEMORIAL RUN

When: Sunday, 18 May -- 4pm London Time

Where: Australian War Memorial Hyde Park

Contact: Terry Kimpton +61-419-311803
Paul Richie: +61-408-677647 / +61-412-251264

Twenty-four Melbourne firefighters will run into Hyde Park Sunday (London
time) to complete the first-ever memorial charity run from Anzac Cove to
London in memory of soldiers who have lost their lives in the First and
Second World Wars.

The men began their 4000km run on Anzac Day at Anzac Cove, Turkey, and
will finish at the Hyde Park Australian War Memorial at 4pm Sunday (London
Time).

"It is our hope that we can now complete the journey with a visit to
Buckingham Palace and to meet the Queen," said one of the leaders of the run,
Terry Kimpton, the Commander Operations of the Melbourne Fire Brigade.

At the end of each day the men 'stand to' at 6pm for three minutes as a
mark of respect to the 'fallen soldiers' and those who served during the
Wars.

A number of the soldiers are descendents of WW1 servicemen and women,
including Victoria Cross and Military Medal winners who died at Anzac Cove
and on the Western Front.

Terry Kimpton said he has been amazed and appreciative of the generosity
of the European fire services throughout their journey.

The firefighters will hold a special ceremony at the Hyde Park War
Memorial.

The firefighters held other special services at Villers Bretonneux on
Thursday and at the Arc De Triumph in Paris on Friday.

The men will run the remaining 128km into London from Dover after
arriving from Calais on the ferry across the English Channel.

For further information please contact:

Jessica Warne,
MFB Media and Corporate Communications
M: +61-400-919-778

Robert Masters
T: +61-3-9941-3109
M: +61-413-147-080

Maria Vampatella
T: +61-3-9941-3158
M: +61-421-112-216

Source: Metropolitan Fire Brigade

Jessica Warne, MFB Media and Corporate Communications, M: +61-400-919-778, or Robert Masters, T: +61-3-9941-3109, M: +61-413-147-080, Maria Vampatella, T: +61-3-9941-3158, M: +61-421-112-216

2008-05-18 04:03:34 0364483 PRNEWSWIRE