G538 PGE Strathclyde Scania Wrl

Strathclyde Fire & Rescue Preservation Group Welcomed Mike Jones To Scotland

Mike and his Scania in Largs during the Scottish Leg Of A Two Week Journey Promoting Prostate Cancer Awareness in 2010

Michael Jones is the proud owner of this 1989 Strathclyde Scania Wrl G538 PGE, which last saw service in Largs, and is currently making a very special journey to Scotland from his home near Southampton to promote the vital importance of early screening for prostate cancer.

Mike said: At the end of last year, at the age of 49, I was diagnosed with moderate aggressive prostate cancer after taking a P.S.A test and thank God I did.

I came out of hospital earlier this year after having my prostate removed and faced the next big battle with radiotherapy treatment.

“But I’m staying positive by undertaking this journey from the very south of England to Largs”.

On the way I hope to stop at several cities along my route where I will be handing out leaflets and talking to men about prostate cancer as it is now the biggest killer in men with 35,000 new cases every year although, as I know, an early diagnosis is literally life saving.

I will be arriving in Largs on the 27th of August and this is prior to meeting up with members of Strathclyde Fire & Rescue Preservation Group who are attending “The Largs Viking Festival” on the Saturday morning.

I will be of course promoting Prostate Cancer Awareness at the Festival and any money raised during this trip will be donated to Prostate Cancer Charities.

The Old and The New

Michael Jones Scania G93M arrives at Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Workshops in Cowcaddens. Mike was invited to drop in on his way from Bournemouth to Largs promoting Prostate Cancer Awareness.

Scania’s are the workhorse of Strathclyde Fire & Rescue’s fleet of appliances and pictured here is Mikes G93M standing proudly next to a new Scania P280.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Workshops staff in Cowcaddens were pleased to welcome this old friend back into there midst and Mike was delighted to be informed by Workshops Manager Ronnie Mcmillan that his vehicle was going to have a standard Workshops Saftey Check and Service during his visit.

After lunch, Mike collected his vehicle which of course had a clean bill of health and headed off on the last leg of his journey to Largs, where he met with members of the Preservation Group and joined in the Viking Festival Parade.

Mike compares his Scania to the latest model while in Cowcaddens Workshops

THE BEST PART OF ALL.

Mike sent a nice thank you message to us when he completed his long journey home and has given his permission to use this extract from it.

The best part of my visit to Scotland was when I arrived at Cowcaddens workshops, where I met some very special people, who did everything possible to assist me.

Firstly, my Scania was given a full standard safety check by the workshop’s staff, and how pleased I was to get a clean bill of health for it.

Secondly, I have to say a big thank you to Strathclyde Fire & Rescue for laying on lunch for Sandra, Ronnie and myself while the vehicle was being worked on. There is one name I will never forget, and that belongs to the Cowcaddens Workshop Manager, Ronnie McMillan. What a guy. He could not have done more, I will always remember everything Ronnie did for us.

I also have to thank, Kenny from Strathclyde Fire & Rescue Preservation Group as he looked after Monty, Sandra and I from Friday to Monday when we left, and also for arranging the Viking Festival entry and overnight parking for my vehicle in Largs Community Fire Station’s yard.

Largs was fantastic from start to finish, with a great visit to the station where I met some of the retained fire fighters. And I also managed a visit to my old mate Tommy Stevens, an Ex Station Officer at Largs.

I tried to leave on Monday morning for the long drive home but, unknown to me, Kenny had one more surprise up his sleeve. A visit to Area Head Quarters in Johnstone had been organised, where I was presented with a pair of authentic Vehicle Area Name Boards as well as being made an honorary member of The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Heritage Trust.

A very big thank you indeed to each and every one you – Mike, Sandra and Monty the Dog.

Sandra, Mike, Walter (Fire Appliance Engineer), Ronnie (Workshops Manager) and Scott (Assistant Workshops Manager) At Cowcaddens Workshop – 27th August 2010