UK360 DAY 6 : Generosity in over-drive

Dave Stewart: Today the FTFE 360 tour rolled into Belfast on the hottest day of the year so far! Absolute scorcher and everyone is looking better… well, pinker, for it!

The team had stayed the night near Bangor, with Peter and Louise Hopkins, and were then packed on our way, after the second full English breakfast in succession… the breakfast of champions!

The morning was spent in Belfast city centre with a reporter from the Belfast Telegraph, who was running an article about FTFE in the Sunday edition. We parked Martha in a side street, by a well known church, and the reporter took photos of the team with Martha. We were joined by Kirsty and her twins, Ben and Sophie, for the photo shoot. Young Sophie loved the limelight, posing like a true professional in her fireman’s hat; she pretty much stole the show!

After the shoot we drove back to Bangor through Belfast city centre. The place looked dazzling in the sunshine, as James drove Martha through streets with artwork and murals depicting the troubles of Northern Ireland’s past, which was fascinating to see… OK I missed it; as I was too busy concentrating on eating Skips.

When we got back Steve was called by CityBeat Radio Station, and talked live on air with the DJ for 15 minutes – his longest (and according to the man himself, best) radio stint to date! With no witnesses to verify the quality of his interview, we have to give him the benefit of the doubt, but if you did hear it and have an opinion we would love to hear from you!

In the afternoon we visited the beautiful seaside town of Groomsport, and parked the engine next to an outdoor pool where the kids were enjoying the hot weather. They were so excited to see Martha and it wasn’t long until the cab was swarmed with youngsters. Amy and James did a great job of keep things under control, but the Siren was sounding every couple of minutes, much to everyone’s amusement (except those trying to enjoy a peaceful Saturday afternoon!).

The evening’s events were brilliant – Kirsty, Peter and Adrian had organised a fund raising party at the Jamaica Inn in Bangor – a beautiful pub right on the waterfront. Some rather well oiled and slightly pink punters sat out front watching on, in pie eyed fascination, as we set about decorating the place with Follow That Fire Engine bunting and balloons. The FTFE team had their photo taken with Martha for another article, that will run in Thursday’s edition of the Spectator. We then settled into the evening’s festivities, which culminated in a raffle with prizes ranging from golf lessons, to VIP tickets at the O2 Arena. The evening raised a total of over £1,600 for the FTFE charity which was absolutely unbelievable!

In true Northern Irish style the evening was a blast and finished in the early hours, with toast and tea round the kitchen table, back at Francis and Betsey’s house (Louise’s parents), before a weary team headed to bed to recharge their batteries ready for the journey to Dublin in the morning…

Dave Stewart

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