Fundraisers right across the UK ensured December truly was the most wonderful time of the year as they lit up fire stations and community sites in the run up to Christmas, already raising more than £170,000 in aid of us – with more still coming in.
To all those who planned or took part in a fundraiser, whether festive or not, a huge thank you! Your efforts make a life-changing difference to fire and rescue service personnel and their families.
XPS Group is sponsoring this year’s festive fundraising campaign, as part of a three-year partnership. You can read more about it here.
Surrey’s Salfords Fire Station and Joint Fire Control set a new record by bringing in over £9,000 from their Christmas Grotto event in December. Across the day, families met Santa in his grotto, met the Grinch, and enjoyed stalls and activities – all made possible by staff, volunteers and local partners. A huge thank you to all involved.
Elsewhere, two teams from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service took part in a relay event which saw them climbing their drill tower one by one in full fire kit and carrying a hose.
In an incredible feat of endurance, West Sussex firefighter Mark Checketts managed to skip continuously for 12 hours, after spending the last year skipping for a minimum of 30 minutes every day to prepare for the challenge.
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East Sussex Fire and Rescue once again organised a magical Santa’s Sleigh event in Eastbourne, with stunning photography capturing the moment:
A Mid and West Wales crew organised a festive event complete with cakes, winter scenery and more:
And these were just a few of many, many more wonderful Christmas highlights. You can see a few more below: