Bedfordshire firefighter raises over £2k for lifesaving charities

Jack Goodwin, a firefighter from Kempston Fire Station and member of Bedford and County Athletic Club, raised over £2,000 after staging a unique charity race against fellow Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service colleagues on Saturday 26 July 2025. 

Vital funds were raised for The Fire Fighters Charity and the Bedford Hospital Charity - two organisations that played a key role in Jack’s robotic-assisted surgery at Bedford Hospital and his subsequent recovery. 

Jack raced multiple relay teams over a 5km distance at Bedford Athletics Stadium. It was a hard run race, with Jack being narrowly pipped to the post by Beds south relay team. 

Results: 
1st - Beds south team - 14:10
2nd - Jack Goodwin - 14:24
3rd - Beds north team - 14:41
4th – On-call / management team – 14:55 

Jack said: “The event went surprisingly smoothly, and it seemed like everyone had a good time! I really appreciate all the support from the runners, spectators and donators.  

“Being a competitive person, I wanted to win, but the Beds south team were a class act. With less than 50 seconds separating all of us, it was an interesting race to be a part of, and great for the spectators to watch.

“The most important part was the biggest success; we hit our target on raising over £2,000!” 

Jack hopes to run a similar event next summer as he continues to support the two charities that have had such a big impact on him.