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. 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. Heather Dunne, who works in Fire Control, has received support on our Reset Programme, through Rest and Recharge stays at Harcombe House and on our online Hope Programme. Surbjit Ghuman, who’s married to an IT Support Officer with West Midlands FRS, attended our Women’s Wellbeing Week and made lifelong friendships – while boosting her overall wellbeing. Crew Commander, Darran Gough, was invited to Harcombe House with his wife following a difficult few months and a particularly traumatic shout – and he says it was the break they both really needed.
Gerry: “You’ve made such a difference to my life. Thanks to you, I’ve got my independence back”
Lynn: “I’ve been supporting Fire Fighters Charity for 45 years – it’s a lifetime connection”
Heather: “The charity’s helped me through cancer and ongoing anxiety, I’m so grateful”
Surbjit: “I was fearful of the unknown, but I’m so glad I broke that barrier”
Darran: “Being able to take some time out to relax was a fantastic reboot for both of us”
