Rich: “We join this job to help people… what we’re not so great at is helping ourselves”
Rich Welch, Assistant Chief Fire Office with Avon FRS, shares how a call to us following the Grenfell Tower tragedy proved life-changing for him.
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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.
Through some incredible fundraising efforts, Lauren Turner has already raised thousands of pounds to support fire service personnel – just like her husband, Ross – across the UK. Firefighter Drew Telfer has received counselling support as well as attending our Reset Programme at Harcombe House – both of which he says have massively improved his mental wellbeing. Tash Campbell-Bell, who works in the protection team at Royal Berkshire FRS, turned to us during one of the most challenging periods of her life and says our support was “life-changing”. Retired firefighter, Dave Stedham, found the helping hand he needed through our remote counselling after a challenging few years, including the tragic death of his son.
Lauren: “You helped my husband with his mental health – now I’m running the London Marathon in thanks”
Drew: “Since contacting the charity, my life has improved massively – I’m so grateful”
Tash: “I found a bit of light at the end of a very dark tunnel after the first phone call”
Dave: “I’d spent years helping others, but realising you need help yourself is the hardest part”