"Stephen Aslin, who is nearly halfway through his 30,000-mile (48,280km) global charity cycling trip, says the support he has received from people from different countries has been "amazing". He told BBC London: "Children wave to me as I cycle and when I stop I've found wherever I am people are friendly and welcoming." So far he has travelled through 24 countries, including Germany, Turkey, Nepal and Uzbekistan. Stephen aims to reach New York for the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in September 2026."
"He grew up in North Kensington and was based at his local fire station after the disaster. His school friend, Ernie Vital and his mother Marjorie died in the tragedy in 2017. Stephen said: "I'm doing this for all the victims and the local community. "I also have old colleagues who are still suffering from PTSD because of the fire.""
"In some countries such as Nepal he said there is a "very sparse coverage" with just one fire engine in a 200 mile (321km) radius. In Germany, he found "the fire service was well-funded and well run". He stayed overnight at some of the fire stations on some occasions, including in Gospic, Croatia. "They were very welcoming," he said. "There is a universal understanding about being a firefighter.""
Stephen Aslin, a former London firefighter from North Kensington, is nearly halfway through a 30,000-mile charity cycling trip that has taken him through 24 countries. He aims to reach New York for the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in September 2026. The ride raises money and awareness for Grenfell victims and local communities, and he visits fire stations to share fire-safety messages. His school friend Ernie Vital and Vital's mother Marjorie died in the 2017 Grenfell tragedy, and former colleagues continue to experience PTSD. He cycles five to six hours daily, has experienced only a stomach bug, and reports welcoming encounters worldwide.
Read at www.bbc.com
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