Strongman Pulls Far Beyond His Weight for Charity
A Lincoln doorman has pulled an 18-tonne fire truck to raise funds for a Lincolnshire children’s cancer charity and celebrate the 50th anniversary of a local fire station.
Dave Johnson, a Lincoln strongman and doorman, pulled the engine at Lincoln South Fire Station on Friday 8th August to mark the 50th anniversary of the station and raise money for The Ethan Maull ‘Up Yours to Cancer!’ Foundation.
Ten-year-old Ethan passed away on 5th May 2014 after losing his battle against cancer. Ethan and his family, who live in Torksey near Lincoln, set up the Ethan Maull ‘Up Yours To Cancer’ Foundation in 2013 to help raise awareness of osteosarcoma after he was diagnosed with the rare form of children’s bone cancer in December 2012.
Strongman Dave managed to pull the fire engine past the half way mark of the 45-metre path.
A total of £315 was raised from sponsorship and bucket collections at the challenge. The proceeds will be split equally between the Ethan Maull ‘Up Yours to Cancer’ Foundation and The Fire Fighters Charity.
“Ever since my friend Mark Browne lost his battle with cancer in 2012 I’ve been inspired to raise the awareness of the disease,” said Dave.
“By taking part in these challenging activities and pushing myself to the limit, I am able to pass on Mark’s message and raise money for great causes like The Ethan Maull ‘Up Yours To Cancer’ Foundation.”
Dave has organised and taken part in a number of other fundraising events to promote awareness of cancer and on behalf of Ethan’s charity, including a car deadlift challenge in 2014 and pulling a 16-tonne fire truck 100 yards through Lincoln’s St Marks area in September 2013. So far he has managed to raise around £3,000 for the foundation.
“I really appreciate the support I’ve received from my loved ones, people from Ethan’s foundation and the local media in Lincoln,” Dave added.
“I am hopeful that as the support continues that I’ll be able to organise even bigger events on behalf of worthy causes.”
Sam Maull, Ethan’s mother, said: “We are very grateful to Dave for all the hard-work and effort that he’s been putting into raising funds for us.”
“We’re all rooting for him and can’t wait to see what he’s got up his sleeve next!”
For more information about the foundation, please visit www.upyourstocancer.co.uk or the Ethan Maull ‘Up Yours to Cancer Facebook page or follow the charity’s Twitter account @EbobsFight.
Ends
Notes to editors
• Ethan Maull was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in December 2012
• Ethan Maull passed away on 5th May 2014 aged 10
• The Ethan Maull ‘Up Yours To Cancer’ Foundation has raised approximately £100,000 in fundraising and is planning to purchase a property, to be called Ethan’s House, where families can stay while their children undergo extensive treatment.
For further information please contact:
Shey Osibowale
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
07538 674832
shey@weareshootingstar.co.uk
@ShootingStarPR
[Ethan05FireEnginePull]
