When Pete Fridd passed away in 2024, many could not have known that his quiet generosity would echo through generations – as one of his final gifts, left to us in his will, will now go on to change lives in our fire services community.
Pete chose to donate 25% of his estate to us, with the rest split between other causes close to their heart and their family.
His niece, Sue Park, has now shared some of her memories of her incredible uncle, and her pride in his and his late wife, Betty’s, decision.
“Uncle Pete worked for Kent Fire and Rescue Service for 29 years as a firefighter, while his wife – my Aunt Betty – worked there too, in an administrative role,” says Sue. “The fire service meant so much to both of them, and they had such special memories from their time in it.”
Pete had many interests. He played table tennis for the fire service – winning several trophies – and was a passionate golfer. He and his wife were married for 57 years, a lifetime filled with travel, laughter, and the constant companionship of dogs.
“I know I’m biased but they were such a lovely couple,” says Sue. “My Aunt passed away sadly in 2010 but Pete continued to work part-time as a painter and decorator, till he was 80 years young.”
Sadly in 2021, Pete was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at the age of 87 and, several months later, his family made the difficult decision to move him into a care home.
Sue says: “It was a lovely place and he soon settled and became more like the Uncle Pete I knew and loved. He was cheerful and chatty again, looking on the bright side of things.
“Sadly, in March 2024 his health declined rapidly and he was admitted to hospital. I was fortunate enough to stay with him in hospital in his final few days.
“They didn’t have any children and made the decision between them to leave gifts in their wills to four different charities – including Fire Fighters Charity. The others were ones close to their heart, including 35% to British Diabetic Society,10% to a Parkinsons cause, 10% to RSPCA and 10% to my cousin and myself. My Aunt had Type 1 diabetes from a very young age then Parkinsons in later life. All their dogs were rescues, hence the RSPCA.”
Sue says our charity meant a lot to Pete, and adds: “They used to get Shout! Magazine and kept up to date with what the charity offered. I used to take the magazine into the care home to read to him, which he really enjoyed.
“It meant so much to both of them to support the charity.”
If you’d like to find out more about leaving a gift in your will, click here: