FIREFIGHTERS tested their mettle in the ultimate endurance challenge ­- completing eight Ironman triathlons in as many days.

And waiting to greet the Bury crew on the “finishing” line was student Jodie Punshon, who inspired them to undertake the epic endeavour.

The 17-year-old suffered life-changing injuries when she fell six metres into water while walking along the river path with a friend in Summerseat last June.

She was rescued by Red Watch at Bury fire station, where her father Greg works as a firefighter.

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(Jodie Punshon)

And in support of their colleague ­- and inspired by Jodie’s determination ­- the team at the fire station decided to undertake the gruelling challenge to raise money to fund a standing wheelchair to help Jodie’s recovery, and for any specialist equipment and adaptations she needs to fulfil her goals.

Jodie, who is currently studying for her A-levels at Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School, recently took delivery of the wheelchair funded by the efforts of firefighters, friends and strangers touched by the teenager’s courage.

Jodie visited the station using her standing wheelchair to say thank-you for helping fund it, which allows users to stand or sit.

She said: “It is overwhelming, they did a good job. I went on the first day of the challenge as well.”

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Jodie (pictured) who is planning to go to university, added: “It has made a massive difference, I get into all the cupboards in the kitchen, I can reach things now.

"It helps me stretch, it is improving my core, my balance and my bone density and I have noticed a difference in my blood pressure already.”

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Dad Greg (pictured) also took part in the challenge, cycling to the specialist spinal unit in Southport, where his daughter was treated. He said the family was completely humbled by the support they had received.

He said: "Just seeing the smile on her face the first time she stood up was amazing, it is hard to quantify really, it just changes everything,

“It’s amazed us all the support from my colleagues and the donations from the general public we are just completely humbled by it, it’s surpassed everything we could have imagined

“Everyone says she is an inspiration and she doesn’t like being called that but you can’t deny it she is the way she has coped with the whole thing is just amazing, she does seem to get stronger all the time."

He added:“This shows you what team works does, everyone pulled together the whole station, it has pulled everyone together in the station and it has been."

 

Watch Manager Steve Wilcock said: "The challenge brought out the best in everyone at the fire station and is an example of how the fire service works when faced with challenges, we are a close knit group, especially at Bury.

"It was a challenge as we were doing it during our breaks and own time while we had a number of very big jobs including the landfill site ¬— but we completed it and smashed the target."

To donate to the appeal visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/su4j