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.
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. 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. 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. Retired Lancashire firefighter Barry Hornsby saw his life turned upside down when he suffered a stroke while playing golf. However, with our teams’ help, he’s now able to walk again and is focusing on the future. Twiggy Lake says it was only once he retired as an on-call officer that the mental impact of some particularly traumatic shouts caught up with him – and he reached out for our help.
Gerry: “You’ve made such a difference to my life. Thanks to you, I’ve got my independence back”
Steve: “I think firefighters my age can be too proud… don’t dismiss it, this is our charity”
Carole: “I’m living a normal, happy life now in retirement – and it’s all thanks to the charity.”
Barry: “I’ve had physical, mental and nursing support – it’s absolutely phenomenal”
Twiggy: “There must be so many on-call firefighters, like me, who never had help and are suffering now”
