In support of Ollie Hatfield and his family

My name is Richard Lloyd and I am a member of Bluewatch at Bristol Airport Fire Service. I have worked with Ollie for the last 3 years, and as well as being a work colleague, we have become close friends whilst on crew together. Sadly, a couple of weeks ago we received the news that Ollie had been diagnosed with Bowel Cancer. Understandably this has come as a massive shock to him, his family and all his colleagues at the Fire Station.  Ollie is a fantastic character on Blue Watch and a well-respected firefighter within the Section. Many people know him as a colleague from around the Airport business, or maybe have been taught First Aid by him or crossed paths through Fire Safety. 

Ollie is about to embark on a very challenging initial twelve-month journey, his Chemotherapy treatment cannot start for four weeks as he must receive his Covid vaccinations first. He will then be having two rounds of Chemo both for three-month periods. Following this and if all goes to plan, he will be booked in for surgery.

Crews at the Fire Station have planned to take on the 20-mile Mendip Challenge to raise funds for him and his family to support them through this truly awful and difficult time. All money raised will contribute towards supporting Ollie, his wife and three children whilst he is off work receiving treatment.

The challenge begins at Cheddar and finishes in Weston-Super-Mare, traversing over the Mendip Hills and will be taking place on Thursday 20th May.