Sam: “Thanks to the charity, I’ll feel better going forward – and be better for my daughter”
London Fire Brigade firefighter Sam Hayward knows first-hand how important it is to ask for help – and just how life-changing that support can be.
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.
Retired Devon and Somerset firefighter, Greg Rowland, has been receiving our physiotherapy support as an outpatient at Harcombe House ever since he was injured in a major road traffic collision. Lynn Bow and her late husband, Graham, helped by the FRS and other colleagues, set up the West Midlands Fire Service Charity Shop and she's continued running it at Open Days since he passed away – raising thousands for us. Caz Lee and her husband George, both of whom work for Cambridgeshire FRS, experienced a very challenging two years after a series of bereavements and George being diagnosed with testicular cancer. 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.
Lilac: “Thanks to you, my dad was able to walk me down the aisle after life-changing injuries”
Lynn: “I’ve been supporting Fire Fighters Charity for 45 years – it’s a lifetime connection”
Caz: “Our stay helped us reset and find some headspace after a very difficult two years”
Gordon & John: “Our friend took his own life – now we’re determined to continue his legacy”