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.
Maureen Allen has been caring for her retired firefighter husband Clive for two years following a major stroke. Here, she reveals how the Charity has supported both of them through some of their most difficult times. For retired firefighter Nigel Brown, the fire service has become ingrained in his family history. Now he reveals why he is gifting part of his father’s estate to the Charity, as a thank you for the years of support they’ve received. When Will Parkinson was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, it sparked more than a decade of chronic pain. However, he says the support the Charity offered him has inspired a whole new life project to say thank you. For firefighter Jim Johnson’s wife Karen, the Charity has supported her not once, but twice - more recently providing a much-needed break following a cancer diagnosis. Now she’s urging anyone else struggling to reach out. When Cumbria firefighter Jon Helm was struck down with long Covid, he struggled to see an end to the ordeal. But after speaking to the Charity, he's getting the help he needs through video sessions.
Maureen: “I don’t think of myself as a carer, I’m his wife, that’s what I’d do”
Nigel: “The Charity helped our family, we wanted to give something back”
Will: “My illness wasn’t fire-related, but you still supported me 110%”
Karen: “For me it was a bit of a lifeline – I’d recommend anyone reach out”
Jon: “I can’t stress what a difference speaking to the Charity made to my life”
