Old Stamfordian, Matt Outen, is fundraising for The Fire Fighters Charity through the 'Leicestershire Fire and Rescue  Service 'Meet in the Middle' Chief's Challenge 2020'. The Schools' Sixth Form Prefects are also fundraising for the same cause, following the fire at Stamford School - read more here.Thirteen new recruits to the fire service will be walking approximately 20 miles in full fire kit on Saturday 25th July to raise funds, which will be split between 'The Fire Fighter's Charity' and 'Mind'. Split into two crews, each team will walk from the most easterly station in the country (Oakham) and the most westerly station (Ashby-de-la-Zouche) into Leicester city centre to 'meet in the middle' at the Central Fire Station. Read more about their fundraiser, and donate, here.One of the recruits taking on this challenge is Old Stamfordian, Matt Outen, who attended Stamford School until 2009. Whilst at the Schools, Matt was involved in applied subjects including PE, Geography, DT, Home Economics and Business Studies. Whilst he played in the front row for the School 1st XV Rugby team, Matt was also in the Army secton of the CCF  and enjoyed completing his DofE awards.We spoke to Matt about how he came to join the Fire and Rescue Service:"Unfortunately my dream of going to RMA Sandhurst post-school and commissioning as an officer in the British Army was shattered in the summer of 2009 by a serious knee injury sustained whilst racing motocross bikes at a weekend."With a love of being active and very much the outdoorsy type, with a flair for business, I skipped university and carved a career in the cycling and outdoor retail industries, working as a Buyer at a number of well known retailers (locally and nationally). Later deciding that the office life wasn't for me, I took a couple of years out working for chalet companies during the winter in French ski resorts and working alongside a friend who runs a building and landscaping company during the summer."Last year, I decided to take a leap of faith and pursue a career in the Fire Service after realising I had more to give and wanting to feel a greater sense of purpose and pride in my work. Also to find that sense of community and belonging that the Armed Forces would have provided had I been able to join."I applied to join Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service in September 2019 and began my journey and new career in May 2020; soon I will complete my initial training course, be posted to a station in the county and be operational from mid-August. I'm incredibly proud to be joining such a prestigious service and very much look forward to serving the wider community, and in doing so, making its people and places safer."The Schools wish Matt and all of the team the best of luck in their fundraiser - remember you can follow their progress and donate, here.For more news from the Stamford Schools community, please click here.