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Real life story categories

Find out how Fire Fighters Charity has supported service users across the UK and how you can share your story with the fire community. Click categories or regions below to filter the list of stories.

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Share your story

Category: Retirement

An older woman smiles while standing outdoors with three smiling children—two boys and a girl—on a sunny day, with a food truck and other people visible in the background.

Shirley: “The FaME Programme really built my confidence – it’s been marvellous”

Shirley Armitt was one of the first people to attend our Falls Management Exercise Programme (FaME) at Jubilee House and says it helped her come to terms with her MS and find ways of boosting her overall wellbeing.

23 Feb 2026

An older man and woman sit closely together outdoors, smiling at the camera. They are surrounded by wooden picnic tables and a white fence in the background on a sunny day.

Pat: “Fire Fighters Charity has helped keep me connected to the fire family after my husband died”

When Pat Johnson’s beloved husband, Bill, passed away, she not only received support from her own family – but her wider “fire family” too. She shares how, through stays at our centres and Living Well Groups, she’s gone on to establish lifelong friendships.

19 Dec 2025

Gerry: “You’ve made such a difference to my life. Thanks to you, I’ve got my independence back”

Our Welfare Team was able to support retired firefighter Gerry Wallbank at an incredibly challenging time, allowing him to regain vital independence for the first time in months.

22 Apr 2025

Steve: “I think firefighters my age can be too proud… don’t dismiss it, this is our charity”

Retired Greater Manchester firefighter Steve Dyer recently spent a week at Marine Court for some time to rest and recharge after a series of health battles.

09 Jan 2025

Carole: “I’m living a normal, happy life now in retirement – and it’s all thanks to the charity.”

Carole Whittaker is married to retired Dorset firefighter, Pete, and received support from us at Jubilee House following a hip operation. She says she feels “privileged and blessed” by her experience.

04 Dec 2024

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Royal Patron: His Majesty The King
Fire Fighters Charity, Marine Court, Fitzalan Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 5NF
Registered charity in England and Wales (1093387), Scotland (SC040096) and Isle of Man (1363)
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