ON APRIL 11, 2026 Crew Manager Lou Needham (Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service) will walk up Snowdon wearing full kit and breathing apparatus. She will only breathe air from cylinders connected to the breathing apparatus, other than one five-minute welfare break in each hour to take in fluid.
This is an extraordinary physical and mental challenge to raise funds for the charity PTSD999 (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and also the National Red Plaque Fire Service Memorial.
The ‘Fire Walk’ was first undertaken by Lou’s father, Dave Needham, with one of his colleagues in 1986. They were based at West Bridgford, and they raised money for the Fire Service Benevolent Fund (now the Firefighters’ Charity) and also the Nottingham City Hospital Burns Unit. They completed the walk in 2 hours and 51 minutes which included the time for breathing apparatus cylinder changes.
One of the key difficulties of this challenge is that the face mask can only be removed for 5 minutes in each hour to take in fluid and overheating is a real possibility. The cylinders last around 30 minutes so one change has to be done whilst the wearer holds their breath – not an easy thing to do when your breathing is laboured due to exertion!
The Fire Walk was done again in 2010 when two firefighters from Central Fire Station completed the challenge, and they also raised money for charity.
Lou decided she would take up the challenge 40 years after her dad did it and he will be there to support her during the ascent. It will be only the third time this has been done and although the equipment has changed in 40 years, the challenge is still a difficult one.
Lou Needham said: “Fire Walk 2026 is more than a physical endurance test – it is a powerful statement about resilience, remembrance, and the unseen battles faced by those who serve on the front line.”
Lou has been provided with the most up to date fire kit, boots, and breathing apparatus by MSA The Safety Company, and Haix.
