A fire chief is set to go on the run for a week.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service’s assistant chief fire officer Peter Rickard will attempt to go undetected in a ‘Hunted’ style challenge for charity.

With only a tent, rucksack and £50 on him Peter will start the journey at Marine Court in Littlehampton on October 9 and will find creative ways to move across the county from that point onwards.

Subject to getting caught, the 40-year-old plans to finish the challenge by returning to the starting venue seven days later.

He aims visit all 25 fire stations in West Sussex, without being spotted by any of his 752 colleagues.                                                         

Updates on Peter’s whereabouts will be shared on West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service’s Facebook and X pages, with members of the public encouraged to comment if they spot him on their travels.

The challenge, which is inspired by Channel 4’s hit reality show Hunted, is in aid of The Fire Fighters Charity.

“The fire and rescue service is part of my DNA, my family have also served as firefighters and as a child I remember raising money for The Fire Fighters Charity with my family,” said Peter.

“Being based in West Sussex, my colleagues and I are very lucky to have the charity’s Marine Court centre on our doorstep in Littlehampton. I am regularly popping in to say hello and by doing this I have seen the work that the charity does first hand, supporting fire service colleagues from across the UK who are experiencing different injuries and challenges.

“Recently I sustained an ankle injury and I know that The Fire Fighters Charity will be there to help me with physiotherapy when the time is right, so now that I am back on my feet, it feels like a great time to take a week of annual leave and raise some money for a truly incredible cause.”

The Fire Fighters Charity’s community fundraiser Louise Furneaux said: “This is a fantastic challenge unlike any we’ve seen before and I want to send my heartfelt thanks to Peter and all those involved in organising it.”

If you would like to donate, visit Peter’s JustGiving page.