Fed rep says emergency services need to ‘stick together’ after supporting firefighter in cancer battle

6 May 2026

A Federation rep has spoken of his pride for the emergency services community after being involved in a 24-hour hill walking challenge to support a local firefighter in his battle against cancer.

When PC Ryan Davies heard about the story of Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Tyler Davies, he set about finding ways to help a fellow frontline worker who had found himself in difficult circumstances.

Despite sharing a surname, the pair are not related and previously had only known of each other as casual acquaintances – until their wives, who went to school together, crossed paths and caught up at the supermarket earlier this year.

“Gemma, my wife, was already aware that Tyler was generally unwell, but on that day, she found out much more about the illness he was facing. He had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer in his renal pelvis, which had then spread to his spine, and he was told the condition was terminal,” Ryan explained.

 

Tyler Davies (right) with a Fire Service colleague.

 

“Neither of us had realised it was that serious, and knowing he was a local lad, in the emergency services and raising children of a similar age to ours, it hit us quite hard. So, we immediately thought we should probably do something for him and his family.

“Together with some other friends, we gave a donation of our own and began contacting local businesses and organisations to ask if they would give something to the cause.”

These efforts proved successful, earning Tyler and his fundraiser a variety of gifts and items, including a signed football from his beloved Manchester United.

“We’d also been told about an event in Tyler’s name based around walking up and down the Wrekin for 24 hours,” Ryan continued. “Although I knew I was working for most of the hours it was scheduled for, I knew I had to go and show my support as a police officer and on a personal level.”

Charity challenge

This challenge was set up by Tyler’s colleagues at Tweedale Fire Station, who led the way by climbing up and down a 407-metre summit in full firefighter uniform for the equivalent of a full day, taking turns every hour on the hour.

Other participants, including Tyler’s wife Chloe, their family and friends, and further fire and rescue staff, were welcome to join in on the walk and contribute whatever they could to the 24-hour element of the feat.

And this offer was taken up with full enthusiasm by Ryan, who made an appearance at the Wrekin once during his shift on neighbourhood duties in Telford alongside PC Andrew Highman, and once after he had finished work.

“It was really special to see so many people coming together for Tyler and to feel that collective atmosphere not once, but twice,” added the 36-year-old, who recently became one of the first officers involved in West Mercia Police’s brand-new virtual ride-along scheme.

 

PC Ryan Davies.

Picture credit: The BBC

 

“My nine-year-old daughter Lillie joined me on my second visit and helped to sell cakes, do her bit for fundraising, while completing three rounds of the walking route by my side.

“It was nice being able to share that moment with her and get a few more steps in, too. The Wrekin is a beautiful natural landmark of our region, and I can’t think of many better places to be at for such a worthy cause.”

Ryan went on to praise the organisers of the challenge, who he described as a reminder of the goodwill found throughout the emergency services.

“Walking up the hill a handful of times was straightforward enough, but to do it for 24 hours like Tyler’s colleagues did can’t have been easy and deserves a lot of credit.

Stick together

“It’s things like this that make you realise how the police, fire and ambulance services keep ticking over – because they’re full of good people who look out for each other.

“In tough times, it’s important to stick together, and it’s been great to see so many people rally around Tyler and his loved ones. Wherever we can, me and my family will continue to support them all the way.”

Branch members can find out more and donate to Tyler, Chloe and their children by visiting his JustGiving page.

There is another fundraising event for Tyler coming up in the shape of a family fun day at The Venue, Hills Lane in Telford on Saturday 16 May, with more details to be found here.

READ MORE: Men's rugby finish runners-up in national competition.