Find out how The Fire Fighters Charity has supported beneficiaries 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.
Recently-retired London and North Yorkshire firefighter Stuart Rye cycled the four compass points of mainland Britain for his Fire Family Challenge. And it made him reflect on his own journey with mental health. After 20 years in the fire service, Ian Richards says he was burnt out. But time spent with The Fire Fighters Charity helped him find the strength within himself to realise a life-long dream. And now he spends his days enjoying the peace and serenity of a small plot of land in the south of France. Retired Lancashire Firefighter Les Monkman is one of several Brits who have found themselves stranded abroad during the coronavirus lockdown. A Type I Diabetic, Les was running out of life-saving insulin and shared his story with the BBC, which is how we heard about his plight and reached out an offer of help. Retired Dorset and Wiltshire firefighter Ludo Macaulay has been recognised with an MBE for a lifetime of service to his community and The Fire Fighters Charity, after spending nearly 50 years supporting causes closest to his heart. Retired County Durham firefighter Harry Binyon is one of two people to be recognised in the New Years Honours List 2020 for their contribution to The Fire Fighters Charity. We sit down to hear why he's spent 40 years raising money for us. 
Stuart: “You have to just keep focusing on the road in front”
Ian: “You helped me find the bravery to change my life”
Les: “You’ve made me feel like I haven’t been forgotten”
Ludo: “It’s all come together. I’m very honoured.”
Harry: “I just like to help people. It’s who I am.”
