A group of firefighters and two civilians stand outside a fire station with a fire engine and a yellow box in the background. One civilian holds a certificate, and everyone is smiling at the camera.

Celebrating London Fire Brigade Focus Week

We were delighted to work with London Fire Brigade for a week to raise awareness of our care and support and celebrate their incredible fundraising.

After an incredible year of fundraising, London Fire Brigade spent a week celebrating the people behind the success, while helping shine a light on the care and support we provide to the fire services community and their families.

LFB raised over £194,000 for us last year – more than double that raised in 2024/25. From fire station car washes and open days to collections and extraordinary personal challenges, firefighters, 999 control officers, and their colleagues went above and beyond to support the cause.

To celebrate their achievements, our Regional Fundraiser for London, Louise Furneaux, Director of Fundraising, Ellie Rocks, and LFB Borough Commander, Neil Dickinson, visited fire stations and the LFB HQ throughout the week to hand out awards for those who have dedicated their time, energy and enthusiasm to raising money. You can see a list of the winners below.

Sherine Wheeler, Chief Executive of Fire Fighters Charity, said: “On behalf of everyone at Fire Fighters Charity, I give my heartfelt thanks to all those across London Fire Brigade who have organised and taken part in these incredible fundraising efforts over the last year.

“Whether you walked, ran, climbed, washed cars, baked, or brought your friends and colleagues together for an event, your support has made a real difference to the health and wellbeing of people across the fire services community. That includes operational colleagues, control, support staff, families and retirees, both during and after service. Every pound raised means we’re here with tailored support, tools and advice to help our fire family stay well, every day.”

A group of firefighters in uniform stand smiling in a fire station with fire trucks behind them. A woman in a beige dress and a firefighter hold certificates in the center of the group.

Three people stand outdoors in sunlight; two men in dark uniforms hold a framed certificate, while a woman in a checkered dress stands beside them. They are in front of a brick wall with vines and a commemorative plaque.

Six firefighters pose and smile behind a round table displaying a plaque, a gift basket, a plush toy, and a Fire Fighters Charity banner in an outdoor setting with brick walls and greenery.

LFB’s Commissioner, Jonathan Smith, said: “Over the past year, London Fire Brigade colleagues have more than doubled their fundraising for Fire Fighters Charity compared with the previous year – an outstanding achievement. This reflects not only their deep commitment and passion for Fire Fighters Charity, but also the creativity and community spirit across the Brigade.

“Working closely with Fire Fighters Charity over the last year has been both rewarding and impactful, enabling us to raise vital funds, while increasing awareness of the support available, and the impact it has.”

A group of firefighters in uniform pose in front of a large red fire truck inside a fire station. Two people in the center hold certificates, and everyone is smiling for the photo.

A smiling firefighter in uniform stands in front of bright red doors, holding a small wrapped gift with tissue paper visible.

A framed award certificate lies on a carpet next to an open laptop. A mobile phone is propped on the laptop keyboard, displaying a smiling woman on a video call.

As part of the week, LFB shared real life stories from people we’ve helped – whether it be with physical rehabilitation, mental health support, or help through challenging times – on their social media channels and internally with staff, to show the impact the funds raised can have.

We also shared Phil Barton’s story, a London Fire Brigade firefighter who recently completed an incredible 550-mile cycle challenge – raising over £3,500 for us. Phil has experienced mental health challenges for as long as he can remember. After joining the fire service eight years ago, he reached out for support — and says the telephone counselling he received, along with a family stay at Harcombe House, helped him move forward and inspired him to give back.

“There can be a lot of stigma around asking for help, particularly for men. Making the first step can feel hard, but I’d recommend anyone do it,” he says.

Read Phil’s story

A man in cycling gear stands with his bike outside Marine Court, under a Fire Fighters Charity sign. He smiles behind a large banner that reads, “You Did It Phil! We’re So Proud of You! 550 miles!!!” with a bike illustration.

We send a heartfelt thank you to London Fire Brigade for such a valuable opportunity to spread the word about the support available to everyone in our fire services community.

LFB Focus Week award winners

  • Angelo Comparini has been given the ‘Going Above and Beyond’ award for his passion and can-do attitude.
  • Odette Wood and Finchley Fire Station got the ‘Open Day’ award for their fantastic 2025 Open Day, which raised over £3,000.
  • Adam Hills and Lambeth Red Watch, and Daniel Foster and Croydon Blue Watch, were awarded the ‘Fire Family Fundraiser’ for the Lambeth Cake Sale and Croydon SEND Bonfire events.
  • Soho Fire Station received the ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award for their continuous fundraising, and their very own Steve Behan also took home ‘Fundraiser of the Year’ for raising over £7,000 with his London Marathon run in full fire kit.
  • Hammersmith Fire Station won the ‘Christmas Elves’ award for their fantastic Christmas grotto, present-giving and festive Open Day.
  • Vicky Archer and Chris Van Roten were given the ‘Large Group Fundraising – Individual’ award for their brilliant Big Brigade Bike Ride and Central Line Loop fundraisers, and Adam Stollery, Luke Halford and the LFB 3 Peaks team took home the ‘Large Group Fundraising – Team’ award.
  • All of the Brigade stations that hosted a Car Wash during 2025/26 were awarded the ‘Car Wash’ award for raising an astonishing £20,000 contribution to assistance for Firefighter Mark Keefe.
  • Lastly, a very special ‘Outstanding Achievement’ award was given to Neil Dickinson in recognition of his exceptional dedication and unwavering support to the charity.