EMERGENCY services workers are competing to raise money for charity in a 999 Challenge today.
Teams from Thames Valley Police, Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue and Deddington Health Centre will compete to be the fastest to row the distance of the English Channel on rowing machines. The total distance rowed will be 22 miles, effectively from Dover to Cap Gris Nez, France.
As well as the teams being sponsored, there will also be a raffle with prizes donated by local residents and community groups. The charities that will benefit this year are The British Heart Foundation and Guide Dogs for the Blind.
It will take place outside Deddington police office in Market Square during Deddington Farmers' Market.
PC Gerry Doyle, of the Banbury Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team, which covers Deddington, said: "The 999 Challenge is pretty gruelling and the teams have worked hard on their fitness. I'm hoping all their efforts are rewarded: thousands of pounds have been raised for charity in the past and I hope we can match this year.
"There is a really good atmosphere, especially with the farmers' market being in town and everyone is welcome to come down. The police won the 999 Challenge three years in row until the fire service beat us last year, so we are definitely looking for revenge this time."
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