Green Watch complete Kettering Half Marathon in support of former firefighter Derek “Del” Anniwell

Firefighters from Kettering Green Watch have successfully completed the Kettering Half Marathon in full fire kit, raising further vital funds in support of former Northamptonshire firefighter Derek “Del” Anniwell, who is currently undergoing treatment for advanced cancer.

The team, Dragan Stjepanovic, Marcus Dowman, Lee Brown, James Woodfield and Stuart Tomlin, set off from Wicksteed Park at 9am on Sunday, tackling the demanding 13.1‑mile route while wearing full PPE, including helmets, adding considerable heat and weight to an already challenging course.

This year’s race took runners from Wicksteed Park through the centre of Kettering, past the grounds of Boughton House and along scenic countryside lanes before looping back to the park. Despite the difficulty of running in operational kit designed to retain heat, all five firefighters completed the course in under three hours — a remarkable achievement given the conditions.

Speaking after the race, the team expressed their gratitude for the encouragement they received along the way. “It went superbly, and we had fantastic support from everyone,” they said. “We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported and who has donated, it means a lot to us, Del and his family.”

The challenge was undertaken in honour of Del Anniwell’s exceptional 30‑year career with Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service. Del joined as a retained firefighter at Rushden in 1993 before moving into a wholetime role in 2006 and later joining Kettering Green Watch, where he served from 2014 until his retirement in August 2024. Known for his experience, patience and commitment to mentoring, Del supported almost every development firefighter who passed through the watch.

Del was diagnosed with stage 3 oesophageal cancer in January 2025, which has since progressed to stage 4 and spread to his stomach and liver. Colleagues across the service have continued to rally around him and his family, building on earlier

fundraising efforts. Green Watch chose the half marathon due to their strong ties with the town and their years working alongside Del, making it a meaningful tribute to his decades of service.

The team were determined to complete the course in Del’s honour. They described the effort as a way of recognising his commitment to both the community and to supporting fellow firefighters throughout his long career.

Although the race has concluded, fundraising continues to support Del and his family. Contributions can be made via the official fundraising page at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-help-my-dad-fight-his-cancer