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.
Colin Speight tragically died by suicide in December 2021, at the age of 47. Now, two of his closest friends and colleagues join his mum and step-dad in remembering him – and share their separate coping mechanisms after his death. Scottish Crew Commander Ewan Diven took on a huge challenge in 2023 of 365 cold water therapy dips, to raise funds for us and spread the word about how our support helped him. Piotr Gudan, an on-call firefighter with Scottish FRS, has received both physical and mental health support from us and says it’s a reassurance to have us there in the future, given the huge demands of his role. Scottish on-call firefighter, Hugh MacCormick, has received our support following back issues. Here he shares his story, both of our support and of the pressures he and others face working on-call. Firefighter Robert Cowie has received digital and face-to-face support from us following a Crohn’s disease diagnosis. Thanks to your donations, he’s now been able to return to work.
Gordon & John: “Our friend took his own life – now we’re determined to continue his legacy”
Ewan: “I wish I’d got in touch sooner than I did, it’s never too early… it changed my life”
Piotr: “Not many people realise the toll of on-call firefighting – it’s tough but rewarding”
Hugh: “I was primarily receiving physio, but the mental wellbeing workshops were great”
Robert: “I’ve always donated but you don’t realise how much you may depend on it one day”
