For Bill and Pat Johnson, the fire service was more than his job – it was extended family. Through celebrations and challenges, Bill’s colleagues stood by them, a “second family” that Pat never imagined would remain so vital after Bill’s passing in 2022.
In her toughest years – including caring for two loved ones and grieving Bill – that community became a constant support. From friendships made during stays ay Jubilee House, our centre in Cumbria, to our online Living Well Groups, and the counselling that helped in the months after Bill’s death, Pat says that lifelong community proved vital.
“Bill and I were married for 52 years before he died,” says Pat. “We had a very happy marriage and have a really close family, which includes two children, three grandchildren and a great grandchild.”
While Bill spent his 20-year career as a firefighter with Greater Manchester FRS, Pat worked outside of the service. However, she says she became almost as close to his colleagues and their families as he did.
Unfortunately, Bill went on to develop rheumatoid arthritis which led to him medically retiring from the service. It motivated the couple to move to Northumberland with their family.
“We first got in touch with Fire Fighters Charity after Bill had a stroke, not long after we moved. He went to Jubilee House for some physio at the time, which was amazing,” says Pat.
“He started to develop a lot of illnesses from there unfortunately, but the charity’s been fantastic throughout.”
It was a few years later that Pat says she became Bill’s carer, following a major road traffic accident where he fell from his motorbike, and a battle with prostate cancer.
“I was looking after my mum as well as Bill – she’d come to live with us after my dad died, so I was caring for them both,” says Pat.
“We enquired about going to Jubilee House again and I was invited to go that time as well; as Bill’s carer. The nurses were brilliant, they’d see to Bill and give him his meds, so I was free to chill out and just relax. I can’t tell you what a difference those breaks can make.”
Bill unfortunately went on to suffer a heart attack and several bouts of pneumonia, before Covid left him incredibly ill in 2022. He passed away that August.
“The charity offered me some telephone counselling in the months after Bill died,” Pat explains. “I found that so helpful. We’d also started going to the weekly Living Well Group online calls during lockdown, and when Bill died, everyone I had met on them was so supportive. They insisted I kept going to them, so I have.”
Our Living Well Groups take place both online and face-to-face across the UK, and invite retired members of the fire services community to come together and chat, enjoy activities and build friendships.
“My group actually all met at Harcombe House this year, face-to-face, and it was so lovely, we had a beautiful time. Many of us had never met before, and everyone got on so well,” says Pat.
“The Watch that Bill was on was like a family, for me too, so finding connection to that same fire family in retirement has been fantastic.”
Pat says, as well as raising awareness of our support, she hopes that sharing her experiences will highlight the importance of donations – so more people, just like her and Bill, can continue to have access to lifelong care and support.
“I’ve kept donating to the charity, ever since Bill died, it’s so important,” she adds. “We also had a donations box at his funeral which collected over £600 in his memory. I know, whatever happens, Fire Fighters Charity is there for me – and that’s such a reassurance.”
If you feel you’d benefit from our health and wellbeing support, you can call our Support Line on 0800 389 8820, make an enquiry online or click below: