A man in a formal police uniform, holding a certificate with medals on his chest, is shown on the left. On the right, a hallway features a red sign that reads

Steve: “I believe Graham would be proud that his legacy now supports those who continue to serve.”

We were proud to unveil a plaque at Jubilee House, our centre in Cumbria, recently – dedicated to former firefighter and committed supporter, Graham Gash. His legacy is already helping the fire services community live well and feel valued.

Graham Gash – or ‘Gashy’, as he was known to his fire service colleagues – was a firefighter right to his core. His family and friends agree that it was quite simply in his blood.

It’s that passion for the fire service that led him to leave a generous legacy to Fire Fighters Charity when he died.

A man in a formal black uniform with medals sits on a bench outdoors, holding a framed certificate and smiling at the camera. Grass and sunlight are visible in the background.

Graham’s generosity has enabled the refurbishment of a Wing at Jubilee House in his memory, alongside other vital improvements around the charity. The Wing offers a welcoming place to stay while individuals receive clinical care, wellbeing support and practical help – empowering them to manage the impact of service and adapt to injury, illness, or emotional strain.

“Graham became a Junior Retained Firefighter in 1971 and qualified fully on his 18th birthday in 1972. He then went on to become wholetime in 1976, in Kent,” says Steve, Graham’s brother.

A person in an old-fashioned police uniform and helmet stands at attention on a paved path, with grass and trees in the background. The image is in black and white.

“I remember his pager going off in the middle of the night when he first started out as a retained firefighter… on would go the light, clothes thrown on, down the stairs and off on his motorbike. He’d always be followed by Mum, making sure he’d shut the front door, turning off the lights, going back to bed and inevitably laying awake worrying about him.

“His love for the fire service became a driving ambition in his life. Anyone who worked with him knows his worth, and the commitment he had for the fire service.”

A group of people forms two lines in a hallway, clapping and smiling. Colorful triangular flags hang above them, and one person is taking a photo on a phone at the far end of the hall.

Graham was central in the development and implementation of many safety procedures, both within Kent FRS and more widely – both in the UK and internationally.

In a tribute at his funeral, one of his colleagues recalled how he attended the Crypt Restaurant Fire tragedy in 1977, which claimed the lives of seven people, including three children and Leading Firefighter John Sharp.

They said: “There can be little doubt that this event shaped the rest of Graham’s career. A relentless drive to ensure that Kent Fire and Rescue Service had in place the most detailed and robust emergency plans characterised Graham.”

A woman in a floral dress smiles while cutting a red ribbon at the entrance of a decorated hallway, surrounded by people attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

A bright, spacious room with wooden floors, gray sofas, and a large window on the left. Several closed wooden doors line the white wall, and potted plants and wall decorations add a welcoming feel.

Indeed, he went on to develop extensive procedures, including implementing an innovative set of procedures called ‘Salamander’, designed to contain a fire on a train in a tunnel, helping to limit damage and creating safer conditions for firefighters.

When Graham passed away, the majority of his estate came to the charity. “He wanted our fire family to be able to access the health and wellbeing support they need during and after service. Once you have a family member in the fire service, you also become part of the fire family. I know he’d be proud.”

Three firefighters in protective gear and helmets stand and talk near fire trucks, with one firefighter raising a hand as if giving instructions. The scene appears to be at an emergency response site.

Steve has since updated his own Will, ensuring further support for the charity in future: “I’ve left items of sentimental value to family – but the rest of my estate will go to Fire Fighters Charity to keep helping those who protect us. I think it’s so important to people at the sharp end, who served just like my brother, risking their lives for their communities.”

If you’d like to help the fire services community live well and feel valued for generations to come, find more – including a simple, free-Will guide – by clicking:

Leave a gift in your will

Your legacy can ensure every firefighter, control officer, support-team member and their families get timely, tailored care and support whenever they need it.