August has become Barry’s Birthday Challenge, an annual family fundraising challenge in Barry’s memory, raising funds for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Family Support Trust.

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This is our third year.

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In 2024, to mark what would have been Barry’s 40th birthday, we launched our £40 for 40 Years Campaign, inviting people to donate £40 in his memory.

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In 2025, Oliver and Daniel led our Brave and Kind Campaign, encouraging acts of kindness, compassion and courage throughout August.

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And in 2026, we’re taking on our biggest physical challenge yet.​

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This August marks Barry’s 42nd birthday and Shelley’s 40th birthday, so we’ve combined both milestones:

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4,200 press ups for Barry's 42 years.

4,000 press ups for Shelley's 40th birthday.

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Together that's 8,200 press ups throughout August. 

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As a family, we LOVE a challenge, and this is one for everyone. 

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Wall press ups, incline press ups, knee press ups or full press ups, it doesn't matter. Complete as many or as few as you would like. Every single press up counts towards our group total. 

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You can join us by doing press ups, sending a photo, video or message, share the challenge, or making a donation. 

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Why we're doing it

 

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Family Support Trust has been close to our hearts since Barry joined the Service.

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Barry was a passionate fundraiser for the charity, and continuing to support its work as a family feels incredibly important to us.

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The Trust provides practical, emotional and financial support to Scottish firefighters, fire service staff and their families when they need it most.

 

Their support for our family since Barry’s death has been incredible, and it gives us great comfort knowing that if another firefighting family in Scotland were to go through this, the Trust are responsive and supportive.