Former UK Bobby Raises Funds For Police And Fire Victims Of WTC Bombing
Swasie Turner ,his crew and Maryland State Police officers pose in front of E103 after arriving in Laurel from the White House.
February 23, 2002. On Saturday morning the LVFD received a call from Chief 4 (Brentwood VFD) that a group of police officers and fire fighters from the UK were walking from the White House to "Ground Zero" in New York City to raise money. The group, lead by the wheelchair bound Swasie Turner, would travel up Route 1 from Washington. To show support, companies along the route were to escort the group with their fire apparatus through their first due areas. Arriving in our first due from Beltsville around 3pm, Engine 103 picked up the procession and followed the group through Laurel.
The procession ended at Route 1 and Bowie Rd. where the group decided to stop for the day. We were quite impressed with the dedication these men showed to raise money for total strangers that weren't even from their country. Speaking with them after their long trek, they were happy to talk to us and share their stories. They even agreed to have their picture taken along side our "machine" as they called it. Mr. Turner said he was from Wirral England, which I found out later is near Liverpool England. What would make him travel all that distance in a wheelchair to raise money? Well, I didn't have to look far for the answer. Searching the Internet for Swasie Truner, turned up several hits. What I found out was this was not the first time he has taken a long journey in his wheelchair to raise money. In December of 2000, he pushed 70 miles across the Falklands to raise money for the South Atlantic Medal Association, a charity for Falkland war veterans. He also finished the first journey from John O'Groats to Lands End in a standard wheelchair. It took him 44 days to travel the 901 miles and raising £15,000 for the cancer gene charity. I was amazed with his accomplishments and was proud to have met him in person and have him associated with the LVFD. The members of the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department wish Mr. Turner and his crew the best of luck and thank you for your efforts.To read more on Mr. Turner's accomplishments, see these websites: www.polfed.org/magazine/10_2000/10_2000_poltalk.htm , www.sama82.org.uk/news-2000.htm , www.thisiswirral.co.uk/wirral/archive/1999/07/16/50298ZM.html or search for "Swasie Turner" with your favorite web search engine.
Back to LVFD Site Archives
Back to LVFD Home.