Issue 16 Summer 2017
Official magazine of The Fire Fighters Charity
www.firefighterscharity.org.uk
Rags to Riches
Converting old clothes to cash with Egremont Fire Station London Marathon Runners
Meet the men and women tackling the Capital
An Eye On The Future
The Charity’s Strategic Plan for 2017-20
hearing matters
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the usual NHS 10 minute appointment, I had nearer to 90 minutes where they painstakingly assessed my needs. Making sure I fully understood all that was being proposed, I agreed to proceed with their recommendations. Two weeks later, they visited my home to fit me with the latest custom built hearing aids, followed by a further visit a few weeks later to make final adjustments. This is where the 'Life Changing' comes in. For 20 years I have been reluctant to join in conversations as I was missing many parts of what was being said and constantly asking people to repeat what was said. Unable to use a phone, I was becoming somewhat reclusive. This has changed. I am now regaining confidence, have started to join in conversations with my friends and can use the phone now. One side bonus I hadn't considered, was hearing a song bird singing for the first time in so many years. I would say to anyone reading this page, that this it is not a typical sales company, but one well worth considering for genuine life improvement. Regards, Michael Spice ®
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Hearing Star
Editorial Manager David McDowell, a Station Rep for the Charity who – together with his colleagues – is a shining example of how the hard work of our volunteers ultimately helps to fund our support of beneficiaries across the UK.
Welcome to the Spring/ Summer 2017 issue of Shout! from The Fire Fighters Charity. I’m delighted to introduce you to an issue that takes a closer look at some of our incredible volunteers; fundraisers, station reps, area co-ordinators and others, including the fire and rescue service teams across the UK who so admirably helped us to break all past records in regards to our January recycling competition this year. The team at Egremont Fire Station in Cumbria feature on our cover for this issue, and deservedly so. They have a long track record of incredible achievements in regards to volunteer fundraising, especially with textile recycling. In this issue we meet Crew
As I write this many of the same fire stations – as well as numerous others – are now in full swing with the March car wash, the second half of the National Car Wash League 2016/17. As with the recycling competition, it is these mass participation events that help contribute huge sums of publicallydonated income to the Charity’s coffers, and which also crucially help to raise awareness of the Charity amongst the general public. I wish every car wash well and I’m hopeful that over the coming months and into the future, we’ll see more national events like the Car Wash bearing fruit for the Charity. Elsewhere in this issue you can find out who from your area will be taking part in April’s Virgin Money London Marathon in aid of The Fire Fighters
Charity. As ever, our runners’ stories and reasons for running are an inspiration and I hope you will show your support by sponsoring them. I’m also pleased to be able to share with you a brief snapshot of what will feature in the Charity’s forthcoming 2017-20 Strategic Plan. This is an important document that sets out our overarching objectives for the next three years and which will help us to focus our energies on the services that really matter to our beneficiaries. You can find out more on page 28. Of course you’ll also find all the usual features you’d expect to see in this issue of Shout!, including our popular Firefighting Fit and Shout+ sections, as well as the latest updates from the Charity. Enjoy the issue.
Dr Jill Tolfrey Chief Executive
Contents 4 Shout! about it
All the latest news from The Fire Fighters Charity
6 Events
Find out what’s going on this year and how to take part in events near you
7 @FFC
Tweets, posts, likes and shares
9 Doing my bit
Meet Ali Ogilvie, The Fire Fighters Charity, Area Co-ordinator for Scotland
10 How can I help you?
18 Thank You and Good Luck
30 Community Matters
A special mention to the runners, riders, bakers and climbers who raise money for the Charity
Meet Jeanne D’Amario, Community Case Worker, and find out how the Charity helps people in the community
20 London Marathon
33 Our New Programme
Meet the brave runners who’ll be taking to the streets of the Capital on behalf of the Charity
Rehabilitation Services Lead, Nicky Patton, discusses the new health and wellbeing programme
24 Bag It And Bank It
Discover how to avoid the pitfalls of a sedentary lifestyle and be more active
Find out who raised the most in the January 2017 textile recycling Championship
26 Commercial Update
Meet Judith Gate, Customer Care Manager
Discover the latest availability and offers for a break away at Harcombe House
13 Rags for life
28 A 2020 Vision
Egremont Crew Manager David McDowell on his inherited love of volunteer fundraising
A sneak peak at the Charity’s forthcoming three year Strategic Plan
34 Get Up and Get Active 37 The Long Term Plan
How to eat healthily in the long term, plus try a cracking chilli recipe
38 Shout+
News and information for the retired community
42 Competition
Enter to win a £100 Joules voucher.
Registered Office: The Fire Fighters Charity, Level 6, Belvedere, Basing View, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 4HG. Charity registered in England & Wales (1093387) and Scotland (SC040096) Disclaimer: The Fire Fighters Charity believe that the information given in this magazine is correct at the time of going to print. We cannot accept any responsibility for any errors or omissions. The opinions expressed in the magazine are those of the writers and not always that of the Charity. Where external links are provided – to other websites or social media accounts – we do not endorse the content carried on these sites and readers visiting them do so at their own risk. Although all advertising is expected to conform to the appropriate advertising standards, inclusion or insertion of such material in this magazine does not constitute a guarantee or endorsement on The Fire Fighters Charity’s behalf of the quality or value of any products or of the claims made for them by the advertiser. Readers are advised to verify product information with the advertiser.
Shout! about it
Contact the editorial team on shout@firefighterscharity.org.uk or 01256 366566
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NEWS
Shout! about it Here’s where you’ll find out what we’ve been working on, where, why, with whom and what for within The Fire Fighters Charity. We’re always on the look-out for interesting stories and if you’ve got something newsworthy that you’d like to Shout! about, let us know: shout@firefighterscharity.org.uk
Now mobile-friendly, the website has been designed to be easier to navigate and is packed with dynamic content that will allow visitors in different parts of the UK to see news and features that are relevant to their region. This includes a growing pool of real life stories from our beneficiaries across the UK.
Your Charity Needs You Update
Over the winter months the Charity asked its supporters across the UK to respond to a specific call for help by texting RESPOND to 70660 to donate £5. The money raised was to directly support the Charity’s beneficiaries in 2017, bolstering the Charity’s coffers and helping it to avoid a repeat of the £500,000 shortfall in its income that it saw in 2015/16.
Visitors to the Charity’s website – www. firefighterscharity.org.uk – may have noticed that we’ve given it a bit of an overhaul. Our new website launched just before Christmas and we’ve been adding content, refining and tweaking it ever since.
Te xt respond to 70660 to donate £5 thank you
As Shout! goes to press, the Charity’s winter fundraising campaign – Your Charity Needs You – is entering its final weeks. However, there’s still time to get behind this important campaign.
New website launched
Whether already donating or not, this campaign asked all our supporters to consider donating a one off gift of £5 and, if you haven’t done so already, there’s still time text your donation. In so doing you will help the Charity to once again provide support to over 5,000 beneficiaries in 2017. Over the course of the campaign a number of beneficiaries shared their personal stories with us and you can see why Peter, Mark, Kern and Clare all urged others to get behind the Your Charity Needs You campaign by watching their video stories on the campaign page at www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/YCNY
Shout!
Whether you’re looking for the latest news, for information on how to donate, how to take part in an event or for gift ideas from our merchandise shop, check out www. firefighterscharity.org. uk and let us know your thoughts. We welcome all feedback on the new website and you can do so by emailing marketing@ firefighterscharity.org.uk or by using the contact us form on the site. Indeed, you can use the same contact details to share your stories, photos or videos and to contribute to the ‘Latest’ section of the site. So, get in touch!
NEWS
News Shorts... Sign Up for Shout TV!
Lights, camera, action! We’re delighted to announce the launch of Shout!TV, a new, feature-filled YouTube channel for Shout! magazine: www.youtube.com/ firefighterscharity With short films and programmes regularly uploaded, Shout!TV provides viewers and subscribers with behind-the-scenes access to what goes on at The Fire Fighters Charity. Free to all, we’ll email you whenever we post a new film on the channel, all you need to do is sign up to Shout!TV at www. firefighterscharity.org.uk/shouttv We’re also on the lookout for contributors. So if you’ve got a story to tell or a photo or video to share, the Shout!TV team wants to hear from you. Whether it’s real-life footage from a shout, or some shots from your last car wash or bake sale. We will showcase your stories on Shout!TV. So tell us what you’ve been up to and we’ll shout about it for you. Got a story, video or photos to share? Email marketing@ firefighterscharity.org.uk
Gift from The Patron’s Fund
Blue Lamp Foundation partnership The Fire Fighters Charity has secured funding from PC David Rathband’s Blue Lamp Foundation to train and develop its in-house psychological therapy team in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) approaches. Complimenting the psychological support that is already offered to beneficiaries attending our rehabilitation programmes, this funding means that we can now further develop our mental health programmes and provide tailored support to meet individual need. Sharon Bailey, Director of Beneficiary Services, said: “It’s very important to us that we provide the right therapist and the right intervention and that we can integrate this support into a physical rehabilitation programme or offer stand-alone mental health programmes. “The funding is already making a difference to our beneficiaries and has been fundamental to us in driving our psychological services forward. We are very grateful to PC David Rathband’s Blue Lamp Foundation for its ongoing support.” PC David Rathband’s Blue Lamp Foundation was set up to help injured emergency services personnel after PC David Rathband was himself injured whilst on duty. The Foundation provided a grant of £60,000 to The Fire Fighters Charity in
Pictured at Jubliee House in Penrith (L-R): Peter Sweeney, Chairman, PC David Rathband’s Blue Lamp Foundation with Sharon Bailey, Director of Beneficiary Services; Sheila Dowton, Psychological Therapist and Kerry Hodgkinson, Psychological Therapist
2012 to develop a mental and emotional wellbeing pilot programme. The further funding for staff training and development comes on the back of the success of that pilot. Peter Sweeney, Chairman of PC David Rathband’s Blue Lamp Foundation, said: “We understand first-hand how the job that our emergency services personnel do can cause not only physical injuries but also mental health issues too. We started the journey with The Fire Fighters Charity to help put new programmes in place and we’re hopeful we can continue to support them as this journey continues. “This collaboration is one of a number in which we are engaged, providing mental wellbeing support across the three 999 services to those in need.”
Donation marks anniversary of tragedy
The dates are set and applications are open for the next United Kingdom Firefighters Sailing Challenge (UKFSC).
The Charity was delighted to receive notification recently of a £2,500 gift from The Patron’s Fund, the charitable fund set up to acknowledge the work of the charitable organisations for which Her Majesty, The Queen acts as a Patron, on the occasion of her 90th birthday. The Fund distributed around £750,000 between nearly 300 charities and other organisations in the UK and the Commonwealth, monies that were raised following generous donations from a range of supporters; including individual donors, businesses, schools, community groups and the proceeds from The Patron’s Lunch, the event on the Mall last June. Dr Jill Tolfrey, Chief Executive of The Fire Fighters Charity, said of the gift; “We are proud and honoured to have the Queen as the Patron of our Charity. This generous gift will help to provide life enhancing services to firefighters in need across the UK.”
Sail away this May
The Charity was honoured to receive a £2,000 donation from volunteers at RAF Neatishead in East Anglia to mark the 50th anniversary of a tragic fire in the site’s underground bunker at which three firefighters lost their lives. Former Chair of The Fire Fighters Charity, Ken Seager, whose father attended the incident in 1966, received the
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donation on behalf of the Charity. DO Gordon Rix, Lfm Herbert Durrant and Fm John Holman died whilst attempting to battle the fire in the vast underground complex. Their deaths ultimately led to the development of safer BA equipment, communications and procedures, from which all modern firefighters benefit.
Raising money for the Charity, the popular event - which takes place on May 8-11 – will see at least 28 crews competing this year, at least one of which will be an all-women firefighters’ boat, returning to continue the successes of last year. Taking place at Sunsail Port, Solent, racing will take place in the waters of the Solent off the Isle of Wight. All boats are identical 40’ Sunsail sailing yachts and each crew can be up to 10 persons. Costs are dependent on the size of your crew and if you’d like to enter you can find out more at www.ukfsc.org.uk
EVENTS DIARY
Events
Save the date
Whether you run, walk, bike or bake, there’s bound to be a fundraising event for you this year, here are just a few...
6 May, 2 July and 15 July 2017: UK Rat Races Details: This year we have teamed up with Rat Race for three thrill seeking events.
Details: If you’re looking for the ultimate adrenaline rush, look no further! On Saturday 17 June our partner Skyline will be attempting to smash its current record for the most tandem jumps completed in 24 hours. To be part of this World Record challenge you can choose to jump from any of eight different airfields; Durham, Lancaster, Brigg, Nottingham, Peterborough,
1. Dirty Weekend: Are you ready to take on the world’s largest obstacle course, spread over either 13 or 20 miles, with up to 200 obstacles? 2. Rat Race – City to Summit: Join us on an iconic journey between the historic heart of Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh, and the summit of Britain’s highest peak, Ben Nevis. 3. Man vs Lakes – Lake District: This 26.2 miles is like nothing you will have experienced as you take on the UK’s most adventurous marathon-distance running journey in Britain.
Brackley, Salisbury or Swindon. How to enter: Visit www. firefighterscharity.org.uk/ events and search for Skydive World Record Attempt 2017 Registration fee: None Minimum fundraise: All you need to do is raise £395 and you will receive your jump absolutely free!
How to enter: You can join The Fire Fighters Charity team by registering online at www. firefighterscharity.org.uk/ events Entry cost (1, 2, 3): £100, £150, £99 Minimum fundraise (1, 2, 3): £350, £550, £400 ex GiftAid
27 & 28 May 2017: Edinburgh Marathon Festival
Details: Whether you want to take on a 10K, half marathon or full marathon, the Edinburgh Marathon Festival has a race for you. Enjoy fantastic allencompassing routes which take in some of Edinburgh’s most iconic landmarks as well as offering picturesque views along the way.
17 June 2017: Skydive World Record Attempt 2017
How to enter: You can join The Fire Fighters Charity team by registering online at www. firefighterscharity.org.uk/ events Entry cost: There is no entry cost for these events Minimum fundraise: £200 (10K), £330 (half marathon), £560 (marathon)
5 August 2017: Party at The Peak - Snowdon Climb Details: The Fire Fighters Charity’s Regional Fundraising team is undertaking a new challenge, and would like you to be a part of it! Starting at 8.30am at the far end of Victoria Terrace, we will take the Llanberis path to the summit of Snowdon. Total distance – 9 miles, with an ascent of 3,199 feet (975 metres). This is considered a ‘moderate climb’ and should take approximately six hours from start to finish. Once at the peak we will stop for lunch* with celebratory cake before we begin the descent.
Shout!
*Please note you will need to provide your own packed lunch. How to enter: Register via our website at www. firefighterscharity.org.uk/ events Registration fee: £10 Minimum fundraise: £75
SOCIAL LIVES
FFC
We love hearing from you and finding out about all the incredible things you do to support The Fire Fighters Charity. We’d love to mention and thank you all, but it would take the entire issue to do so. Instead, here’s a brief selection of your recent comments on our social media channels, reproduced verbatim. Do make sure you get in touch via Twitter (@firefighters999) or Facebook (/thefirefighterscharity).
Tweet relief
Stuart Mangan @stumangan45 Had a fantastic week with the @firefighters999. Met some great people and made new friends. Also made some real positive progress.
Adam Joyce @AdamJames Joyce I’m proud to be #presenting on behalf of this great charity on Tuesday 14th Feb to employees @Hitachi_capital in #Surrey #firefighter
Ed Ward @Faiabo Ward Have done wonders for me, thank you FFC
CDD Fire and Rescue @CDDFRS Sarah Warnes @Sarahj warnes
Sandra @SandraNixon1
Here at jubilee house for knee rehab-fantastic facilities. Support the firefighters charity ☺ @firefighters999
@ErdingtonFire me and my son just dropped some black bags of clothes in your yellow bin for the @firefighters999 charity
In support of our Peter Brown memorial bike ride, thanks to @DraegerNews for £500 for @firefighters999 #charitytuesday
Face to face with our supporters: Mike Grey Having spent this week at Marine Court for rehabilitation following shoulder surgery, I can only echo the previous positives reviews. All of the staff, be it the Physiotherapists, fitness instructors, cooks, receptionists, etc are excellent, friendly and provide a very supportive atmosphere. I cannot thank them all enough.
for other causes like local rugby clubs etc. They’re all worthwhile but only the Fire Fighters Charity provides support specifically for us.
It’s the first time I’ve had to use the services of the charity and unfortunate circumstances can happen to any one of us in the service. Well worth remembering this when we carry out car washes etc
or amount of stars to say how amazing the staff, accommodation and grounds at Harcombe House truly is. The work they do there is outstanding and has provided myself and family with respite care that
Thanks again and in particular to Danielle, Charlotte and Kirsty for putting up with our group and providing the information on pros & cons of stretching.
Anne May There is not enough room
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was very much needed. We cant thank them enough.
Graeme Jackson Serving or retired
firefighters this is our charity. We must continue to support them as they support us.
Colin Roffey I just spent a week at Marine Court in Littlehampton. I can’t speak highly enough of this place. The treatment is First Class & they definitely helped me to the road of recovery. Carl Lane Can’t begin to say how much
it has helped me over the past 18 months excellent staff excellent facilities.
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MEET THE TEAM
Doing my bit By Ali Ogilvie, The Fire Fighters Charity, Area Co-ordinator and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service firefighter.
I
joined the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service three years ago, working within the Asset Management Team based in Aberdeen, covering 40 stations dealing with equipment and station requests. A year later I decided to join the retained duty system at Stonehaven Community Fire Station, Aberdeenshire. I have experienced an awful lot over that time, from dwelling fires to RTCs, fatalities, flooding, and working at height.
benevolent charities during his rehabilitation. This gave me the drive to take on an active role with the Charity because I have seen first-hand just how reliant one family can be on a charity when the unthinkable happens. And it only felt right that, as a serving firefighter who may one day need to call upon the Charity, I do my bit for them.
I have always had a desire to work within the fire and rescue service and to be an operational firefighter, so I feel very fortunate to work alongside some great people across Scotland Fire and Rescue.
My role, as an Area Coordinator, is to promote the Charity across the North East of Scotland; raising awareness of events, fundraising, services and Charity messaging, but also to be a key contact for the stations. I also support the other Charity volunteers in the North of Scotland; Violet Davidson, Stewart Wood and Ally Birkett.
It was about a year ago that I decided to take on a more active role with The Fire Fighters Charity. After my brother was critically injured in Afghanistan while serving with the RAF, my family received a lot of help from
A typical week as a volunteer centres on working with our Regional Fundraiser, Margaret Barnes to keep up to date with Charity news and events, and then sharing this information with the stations I support. As you can
so many ways and if they need imagine, my role becomes busier support then it’s alright to give the when we have national events Charity a ring. Firefighters can such as Christmas collections or be proud people so they may not the National Car Wash League, wish to be seen asking for help, whether it’s getting sponges to whether it’s emotional or a station or paperwork for physical, but that is banking money, I’m what the Charity’s there as a middle “I find volunteering purpose is, to man between the for The Fire Fighters help us and our stations and Charity incredibly families. And the the Charity. rewarding because fire service is one the Charity supports The highlight big family, so we the entire fire and for me over the are all there to rescue community.” last year was support each other. definitely being at I find volunteering for the presentation for The Fire Fighters Charity Red Watch in Aberdeen City, incredibly rewarding because having raised the most money the Charity supports the entire for the September Car Wash, fire and rescue community in so 2016, out of the whole of the many different ways, and none UK. This was the first event I of us know if and when we may assisted with as a volunteer so be reliant on these services. It for Red Watch to receive the may be tomorrow or in 30 years’ overall prize was brilliant! time, so to be able to help raise The most challenging aspect awareness and money for a about my role is actually getting Charity now, which may either the message out to firefighters support myself or a colleague that the Charity is there for them across the UK in the future, is and their families, it can help in incredibly worthwhile.
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MEET THE CREW TEAM
How can I help you?
I
By Judith Gate, Customer Care Manager, The Fire Fighters Charity
started working at the Charity four and a half years ago. Before joining I had worked in local government, including 10 months at Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service. My time at the Fire Service, and the inspirational individuals I met there, was a key factor in applying for the role at the Charity. In November 2012 I took a big leap, and quite a geographical leap, moving from Cumbria to Basingstoke to begin a role that saw me supporting our regional volunteer structure and developing volunteering within the organisation. In July 2016 I took on the new role of Customer Care Manager, developing our new integrated Customer Care Team at Head Office, Basingstoke. In this role I have been responsible for bringing together three teams, the Helpline, Supporter Care and Customer Services, to create
a single point of contact for enquiries into the Charity. It has been a hugely exciting challenge working with a fantastic new team to drive continual improvements and efficiencies in our customer care.
we aim to provide a positive and professional customer experience. Our team’s core focus is on delivering quality and memorable customer service which represents the fantastic work of the Charity.
The new team covers a wide range of areas from being the first entry point for any beneficiary wanting to enquire about or apply for our services, to providing information and support to those who want to fundraise for us. We also undertake lots of key processes including sending out application forms for rehabilitation and recuperation services and thanking our donors for their support.
We have also extended our opening hours. The new team is now available 8.00am-6pm Monday to Friday with our Services Access Line also open 9am-5pm on Saturdays for advice and support. In total this is an additional 18 hours a week in which beneficiaries can access our support.
Having a joined up approach enables us to resolve most enquiries at initial contact, speeding up and improving the experience for our beneficaries and supporters. Whatever the nature of the enquiry
The diversity of the enquiries we receive means the Customer Care team get to work with a wide selection of individuals and teams here at Head Office, across our three centres and regionally to ensure we are all working together to create the best customer experience possible. I feel incredibly lucky to work at The Fire Fighters Charity.
Shout!
Each day is different and it is a great honour to work towards providing the best customer care possible for our beneficiaries and supporters every day. It is hugely rewarding to know that you may take a call that could be the first step in getting a beneficiary the support they need or may help someone to achieve their fundraising goals.
GIVE US A CALL You can reach the Customer Care Team on 01256 366566 Or call the Services Access Line on 0800 3898820
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RECORD RECYCLING
Rags for life
Firefighting and volunteering are in Crew Manager David McDowell’s (second from right) genes, as well as in the bricks and mortar of Egremont Fire Station in Cumbria. Theirs is a story of selfless dedication, modesty and good humour, as we found out when we talked to David about Egremont’s record-breaking recycling efforts.
Shout!
U
pon visiting a fire station one might rationally expect to stumble across pieces of firefighting equipment, a fire engine or two, the odd kit room and even the occasional firefighter. One would not normally expect to find two tonnes of second hand clothes, piled up in a 10-foot high pyramid beside an almost fully obscured appliance and alongside a team of clearly very proud firefighters. When you visit Egremont Fire Station in Cumbria in the month of January, however, that’s pretty much exactly what you can expect to find. Egremont has embraced the Charity’s January textile recycling competition with gusto over recent years, taking the crown by raising 7.7 tonnes in 2016 and, as we pay them a visit in January 2017, the enthusiastic team looks well on track to do even better in this year’s Rag Trophy challenge.
left opposite) he came he came up with the idea of using social media to raise awareness; he also arranged local pick-ups from care homes – allowing elderly residents who are unable to get to the recycling bank to support the Charity – and approached the local hospital who gave us some of their redundant textiles. Firefighter Anthony Marshall, meanwhile, arranged for additional Brownrigg support vehicles to collect textiles on two of our biggest collection dates. And we’ve had fantastic support from our local schools too. So there is some great work that goes on across the station and all that we do is achieved because we work together as a team.”
“Nationally, almost £40,000 is raised each January”
Leading the charge for Egremont is Crew Manager David McDowell, The Fire Fighters Charity’s Station Rep for this industrious Cumbrian station. However, despite serving at Egremont for 29 years and voluntarily fundraising for the Charity for equally as long, David is keen to ensure that he is not singled out in any way for the hard work of the whole Egremont team. “None of this is about me,” he says, modestly. “It [fundraising] is about the support of the station and the local community. There are others here who have done some incredible work and come up with some great ideas for helping, like Crew Manager Andrew Hinde (second from
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These achievements include remarkable success in generating community support for the Charity’s textile recycling campaigns, an initiative that annually raises over £430,000 across the UK through the collection of second hand textiles via recycling banks and door-to-door collections. January’s competition, meanwhile, sees fire stations competing to collect as much as they can across the month in order to claim the sought after Rag Trophy. Nationally, almost £40,000 is raised each January as households answer the call of volunteers like David and his colleagues and drop off their old clothes at over 700 recycling banks and stations around the country. With Egremont’s name currently on the trophy, David is keen to keep it there, but, as he stresses with characteristic humility, losing wouldn’t be the end of the world either: “We are certainly competing against the whole country, as they’ll be competing against us,” he says. “But if someone beats us we wouldn’t be disheartened, it’s just another challenge for next
We make a life-changing difference to over 5,000 people each year. This wouldn’t be possible without the people who give regular monthly donations. Please consider setting up a regular monthly donation so we can continue to be there for those that are in need within our fire and rescue community. To set up a monthly direct debit donation go to www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/donation or call 01256 366 566
Copyright Š 2017 The Fire Fighters Charity. All Rights Reserved. The Fire Fighters Charity, Level 6. Belvedere, Basing View, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 4HG. Registered charity in England and Wales (No. 1093387) and Scotland (SC040096) Royal Patron Her Majesty The Queen
RECORD RECYCLING
year and it’s basically raising more money for the Charity. So if someone collects eight tonnes, compared to our 7.7 tonnes last year, then we’ll send them a trophy, because that’s a phenomenal amount of textiles. Although it really doesn’t matter if a station collects 10KG or 10 tonnes, that one bag is just as important in raising vital money for the Charity that can really make a difference to people. “I think the most important thing is that we want this to cascade across other stations, because if we can do it – using things like social media – then anyone can do it. I’d like to think that if people can see us as an example of what’s possible, and if we keep seeing the money going up year on year, then we are playing our part and Egremont Fire Station will have really achieved something.” David’s enthusiasm and commitment to raising money
for the Charity stems from his father, Gerard McDowell, who himself fundraised for the then Benevolent Fund while working his way through the ranks, from firefighter to Sub Officer, at Egremont. “He used the services of the Charity himself through ill health,” explains David. “And I know he used to help raise money too. They would sell tickets for Charity dances for the old Benevolent Fund and there are clippings up around the station about the things they did. So my involvement is just a continuation of what he did really.” Now 52, David has also used the services of the Charity in the past having battled through cancer in his thirties. “When I was 32 I applied and used the Charity’s services,” he recalls. “So I have seen both sides, raising the money and actually going and using
“We might have raised £400 today and that gives you a buzz that you have injected that money into the Charity” the services. The Charity was a huge help because it was an escape away from radiotherapy and all that stuff and, more importantly, after getting through what I did get through, it felt like it was the start of a new chapter for me, a fresh start.” However, working as a Station Rep with his equally enthusiastic colleagues to raise funds today is about far more than just recognising the support that had been given to him. It’s all about the buzz.
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“It’s a bit like today,” he explains. “We have just dispatched around 1,800KG of textiles. It is an adrenaline buzz, a rush. We might have raised £400 today and that gives you a buzz that you have injected that money into the Charity and you know that someone else who might need that assistance is going to get it. It’s a bit like a sugar rush!” The Charity’s volunteer Station Reps provide a vital link between the Charity, stations, the fire and rescue service personnel and local communities. The role involves acting as the Charity’s named contact on a station and, in so doing, being the person who receives communications from the Charity, who attends meetings when necessary and who reports any issues or concerns to the fire and rescue service’s service co-ordinator. The role also involves raising awareness of the Charity on station and, of course, co-ordinating the station’s fundraising efforts.
Fly in a
Enjoy the flying adventure of a lifetime as you soar through the sky in a legendary Supermarine Spitfire, the most famous and charismatic fighter aircraft in the world, bar none.
“The breathtaking flight was a truly awesome experience that will live with me for the rest of my life.” © Richard Paver 2015
© Richard Paver 2015
Our Fly A Spitfire Experience at historic Biggin Hill Aerodrome is an aviation adventure like no other. Enjoy up to 45 exhilarating minutes* in the air over the beautiful Kentish countryside safe in the hands of a highly experienced, CAA-certificated Spitfire pilot. The experience includes a pre-flight briefing on the ground beforehand, followed by ten minutes in the cockpit of Spitfire MJ627 going through the all-important pre-flight checks. Once in the air, you choose how you want to fly: straight and level or twisting and turning while the onboard camera catches the action. On longer flights you get to swoop over places like the white cliffs of Dover, the Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel Le Ferne, Beachy Head or another special location of your choice if time allows.You may even have the opportunity to take the controls! Finally, take a guided tour of the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar, home to a fleet of Spitfires and other visiting WW2 fighters. Depending on the package chosen, additional charges apply for extended flights.
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“I want to express my warmest thanks to everyone at the aerodrome who made my Spitfire flight something I will always remember and cherish...
...from first to last, everyone was wonderful, and the flight itself - well, it defies words, but you have never had a happier or more delighted passenger.”
Keepsakes of the big day also include: A free digital video of your big adventure Photos taken next to the aircraft A souvenir flight patch A framed certificate featuring your spitfire and signed by your pilot © Richard
Flying experiences start from just £2,550 Visit www.flyaspitfire.com
Telephone: 01959 576 767
Paver 2015
RECORD RECYCLING Having ticked all these boxes and helped to ensure Egremont remains one of the most successful stations in the country, David believes the secret to success is close cooperation with those on station, with your local community and with the support of others. “We’ve had fantastic support from Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service and Locality Manager John Wall, as well as Dave Edgar, Keith Opie and Will Richardson,” he says. “They’ve provided us with vehicles to do what we need to do and they’ve allowed us to store stuff on station. We’ve also had great support from the Charity too, from Regional Fundraiser Alan Knell and Sales Manager Kevin Biles. Also, our local press, Egremont2Day and the Whitehaven News have been fantastic and without all of that in the background we couldn’t do what we do. “The role of a station rep isn’t an onerous one, but you do need that support and we are lucky here that everyone is so committed and wants to help when they can. The only difficulty that we have really is coordinating people’s shifts, which can be difficult when everyone works on rotas. But the fact that people take annual leave to help with events and things also speaks volumes. We’re lucky as well that we have supportive families at home and if we are doing a charity event we
involve them and work it around our rest days. In fact all the wives came down in December and helped us with our Santa’s grotto. They were able to actually turn our winter wonderland into a winter wonderland, which they did brilliantly! “I am incredibly proud of my station colleagues here at Egremont and feel privileged to work alongside them.” The embodiment of all that makes up a great volunteer, David has embraced volunteering and fundraising as part of his everyday life. He has recruited the support of his colleagues and engendered a passion for doing good across his station that has diffused out into the local community and beyond. But why do it at all? Volunteering is not something that appeals to everyone, especially when the demands on people’s time can be so great. For David the answer is simple: “I think it is self-satisfaction, it is how you are as a person,” he says, without hesitation. “I do other community things too and I think it defines you as a person. It gives you a reason, you are giving something back and you are helping others. That is where the buzz comes from for me and within the fire service, it also brings you together and bonds you. When we are raising money, we raise whatever amount we do together and we know that we are helping people by doing so. That’s why people do it.”
“The fact that people take annual leave to help with events and things also speaks volumes”
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THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK
Fundraising focus All around the UK, our fantastic supporters are always busy swimming, cycling, running, walking and washing cars (amongst other things) to help raise money for the Charity. Here, we say thank you to those who’ve already completed their challenges, and wish the best of luck to those about to! If you’d like to feature on these pages, just email shout@firefighterscharity.org.uk
Thank you... 160ft Bungee jump Andy Green
Stockton Heath Firefighters
Fearless Andy Green took to the sky for The Fire Fighters Charity completing a 160ft bungee jump on February 12, raising £100 for his bravery.
A group of firefighters from Stockton Heath Fire Station completed a gruelling stair climb (on a step machine) in full BA kit. They climbed 3,403 flights of stairs – equivalent to the height of Mount Everest (8848m) – raising a total of £363.50 for the Charity.
Philippa Reece As the wife of a firefighter Philippa has seen the Charity in action and embarked on an incredible challenge to raise money by tackling the Inca Trail. She completed the challenge and raised a whopping £5,000 for the Charity. You can read more about Philippa’s adventures by reading her blogs in the ‘Latest’ section of our website.
Shout!
THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK
Good luck... World Record Rugby Match
Harcombe to Littlehampton
On 12-13 May two teams battle head to head in attempt to create a new world record. The two teams are The Fire Fighters Charity (mainly all firefighters) and Scotty’s little Soldiers. Both teams are hoping to beat the current record of 28 hours and 23 min by slugging it out for a 31 hour match!
Richard, a beneficiary of The Fire Fighters Charity has taken on a 200 mile cycle from Harcombe House to our centre in Littlehampton. Richard is hoping to complete his challenge in under 24 hours. You can show your support here: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ RichardWelch72
The ‘trying’ event is taking place at Worcester Warriors Sixways Stadium and all are welcome to watch. Find out more: www.charityworldrecordrugby.co.uk/
Sky Diving World Record Keep an eye on the sky on the 17 June as our partner Skyline attempts to break the world record for the most tandem jumps completed in 24 hours! Good luck to all those who are taking part. If you fancy the ultimate adrenaline rush yourself, there is still time to sign up. Visit: www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/jump
this monumental challenge. To date Steve has raised £8,979.00. You can find out more about Steve’s incredible journey here: www. firefighterscharity.org.uk/steveholder
Andrew Impey
Chief’s Challenge Last year Chief Fire Officer, John Buckley, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, completed his annual Chief’s Challenge which saw staff from across the Service putting on different fundraising events, all in aid of The Fire Fighters Charity. The Service raised a fantastic £10,000 during the Chief’s Challenge and you can read more about it on our website www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/latest/ Above – On the left of the pic is CFO John Buckley, and on the right is AM Ian Taylor – doing the three legged race!
Marathon Man Steve Holder Devastatingly Hampshire firefighter Steve holder lost his wife, Sharon, in 2015, after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. However, in her memory he ran an incredible 20 marathons in 2016 to raise money for the Charity. Huge congratulations to Steve for completing
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Eleven-year-old Andrew Impey is on a mission to visit every fire station in the UK, raising money for The Fire Fighters Charity as he does so. Andrew’s incredible undertaking has seen him visit hundreds of fire stations and, in February, his undertaking also saw him recognised as ‘Young Person of The Year’ by Portsmouth Youth Voice. Congratulations Andrew, your award is hugely deserved and everyone at The Fire Fighters Charity is immensely grateful for everything you are doing. Good luck with the rest of your incredible journey. You can follow Andrew on his #oneladschallenge on twitter @AndrewDaneUK.
VIRGIN MONEY LONDON MARATHON 2017
Virgin Money London Marathon 2017
Meet Our 2017 Team
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he Virgin Money London Marathon - one of the world’s most iconic marathons takes place on Sunday 23 April. This year 13 inspirational runners have secured a place as part of The Fire Fighters Charity’s London Marathon team, together pledging to raise a staggering £26,000.
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This year you can follow the progress of our runners as they prepare for and recover from the marathon. Just visit the ‘Latest’ section of our website – www.firefighterscharity.org.uk – where members of the team recount tales from their gruelling training programmes and reveal why they have taken on the challenge.
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VIRGIN MONEY LONDON MARATHON 2017
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Paul Milburn, Cumbria
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Adrian Lyden, Birmingham
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Helen Wyer, Birmingham
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Paul-Milburn1
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Adrian-Lyden
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Helen-Wyer1
I will be challenging my own inner strength by completing the Marathon whilst wearing full fire kit and wearing a breathing apparatus set weighing a total of 25kg (equivalent to 50 lb or 4 stone).
After undergoing major spinal surgery in June 2015 I received amazing help from The Fire Fighters charity. They helped me to return to full operational duties within six months. This was six months ahead of schedule! Now it is my turn to help them.
This year I turn 30 three days before the marathon and I really wanted to run it for my birthday! I opted for a charity place as working within the fire service myself I have seen first-hand the support my colleagues have receive from the Charity.
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Graham George, Cambridgeshire
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/graham-george
Having used the services of the Charity myself, I want to give something back. 3
Rob Cole, Hampshire
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Robcole77
I’m doing this to raise money for a great charity that we and our families all rely on within the Fire Service. 4
Caili Anderson, Surrey
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/CailiVLM2017
I have learnt so much more about the charity since becoming the Service Co-ordinator for Surrey and it has fuelled my passion to support it even more. Having some minor health problems myself I am happy to know that the Charity is there for me if I, or my family, need it. 5
Tim Hodges, Derbyshire
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Tim-Hodges3
As I only have a few years left of service remaining, I thought this would be a fantastic way to round off my decades of fundraising for this amazing charity. My 18-year old son will also be running with me. 6
Mark Caine, Derbyshire
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Rob Holmes, London
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Liam Blake, Dorset
www.justgiving.com/robsrunningchallenge
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Liam-Blake1
Although I have never needed the Charity myself, I have seen the great work that it does when it has helped colleagues back to full operational duties after suffering serious injuries.
Being a serving firefighter I’ve seen many people benefit from the services The Fire Fighters Charity offers.
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Dave Gilbert, Lincolnshire
uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DaveGilbert74
After I joined the Service in 2000 I ruptured my anterior cruciate ligament. I was lucky enough to visit Jubilee House in Penrith for two spells of intensive physiotherapy, and ever since I have been raising money for the Charity. In December 2015 I joined the 1,000 mile challenge as a personal goal, to try and run 1,000 miles in a calendar year. By 18 December 2016, I had reached my goal! Running the London Marathon is a great continuation of fundraising and personal challenges. 10
I grew up living with my stepfather who is also a firefighter in Dorset; after he was injured in an accident he was lucky enough to go to Harcombe House for rehab, had this not been available his career may have ended. I want to help many others save and prolong their careers using the service.
Sarah Taylor, St Albans
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Sarah-Taylor177
I am running for The Fire Fighters Charity because we had a house fire in July 2015 and St Albans White Watch saved our home. I would like to do something in return, as a way of saying thank you. 11
Warren Morris, Merseyside
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mark-caine
mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/warrenmorris1
This year will be my last year in the fire service and I have always said to my family and friends that one day I would run the London Marathon, to thank the Charity for their support over the years!
One of the 50 things on my bucket list is to run the London Marathon, so it made perfect sense to cross it off the list while raising funds and awareness of The Fire Fighters Charity.
pic credit: Virgin Money London Marathon
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MERCHANDISE OFFERS
Event Essentials
Are you taking on a sporting event for The Fire Fighters Charity or know someone who is? Take a look at some of our event essentials to help you with your next run, walk, trek or cycle. 1. Men’s Running vest £14.99
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2. Cycling top £39.99
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3. Ladies Running Vest £14.99 4. Baseball Cap (red, blue) £5.00 5. Fire Fighters Charity Water Bottle £3.50 6. Fire Fighters Charity Sports Water Bottle £5.99 7. Fire Fighters Charity Bath Towel (Navy Blue, Light Blue) £11.00
8. Fire Fighters Hand Towel (Navy Blue, Light Blue) £7.00
9. Fire Fighters Charity Drawstring bag £3.50
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VISIT www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/shop or call 01256 366566 All prices exclude postage and packaging. Shout!
MERCHANDISE OFFERS
Calling all Fire Stations! Here is a brilliant and simple way to fundraise for us at your next open day or event. Simply order one of our Shop-In-A-Box boxes, set it up, sell to your visitors, pay-in the proceeds and return the box to us.
Here are a few of the things you’ll find in your next box order…
What to do… To order your Shop in a Box call 01256 366566 or email siab@ firefighterscharity. org.uk Please give us a few weeks’ notice if possible. Your box will be delivered a few days before your event.
Frisbee
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Mini Fire Engine Children’s Neenaw T-shirt
Midi Fire Engine No Box Blaze Bear
Using the price list provided, display and sell the stock at your event.
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After the event, pack any unsold stock back into the box, return it to us as soon as possible and pay in the money raised. Full instructions are provided in the box.
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Stationery set
35 piece Fireman Sam puzzle
Reflective armband and PVC fire engine torch keyring
Fire Engine with ladder and Fire Engine no ladder
Kid’s Baseball cap
Drawstring bag
For a full list of items in the box, or for more information, visit www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/shop and select ‘Shop in a Box’.
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JANUARY RECYCLING COMPETITION
The Clothes Show This year’s January textile recycling competition, Bag it and Bank it, exceeded all expectations and saw fire stations across the UK combine to raise over £46,000 from their local communities’ unwanted clothes.
Mountains of clothes filled fire stations across the UK, including here at Egremont
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Crews, like those from Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, worked hard to secure as much clothing as they could
his January we asked for your help to Bag it and Bank it, to recycle like you’ve never recycled before and to reach out to your local communities in a bid to beat the amazing £36,000 we raised through recycled textiles in January 2016.
lengths to source and secure every last sock from their local communities. Reaching out to local schools, clubs and associations, hospitals and through social media, it was fantastic to see how stations and communities came together to support the campaign.
All 694 fire stations across the UK with The Fire Fighters Charity recycling banks sitting proudly on their forecourts, took part in this year’s event. Competing to win the coveted Rag Trophy in England, Scotland and Wales by raising the most in each country, we saw stations go to incredible
Having weighed every shirt, shoe and woolly jumper, competing fire stations collected a staggering 213,613KG of clothing in January, directing this mountain of clothes away from landfill and raising a staggering total of £45,895, smashing the previous year’s total by almost £10,000.
Shout!
JANUARY RECYCLING COMPETITION
Egremont Fire Station
Lanark Fire Station
Pontardulais and Llanelli Fire Stations
How many bags of old clothes can you fit in one car?
This year the competition was regionalised and our regional winners in England, Scotland and Wales each received a luxurious New Year hamper, as well as the Rag Trophy. They were:
England
Egremont Fire Station, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, collecting a whopping total of 11,007KG of clothing and textiles. Egremont kindly donated their hamper to the Children’s Ward at West Cumberland Hospital.
Scotland
Lanark Fire Station, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service collecting 1,025KG. Lanark also donated their hamper to their local Food Bank.
Wales
Pontardulais Fire Station and Llanelli Fire Station both from West Wales Fire and Rescue Service - were joint winners, both collecting 640KG of textiles.
Families across the UK cleared out their old clothes and popped them in their local recycling banks
DON’T STOP RECYCLING! Although the January recycling competition is over until 2018, recycling collections still continue throughout the year raising the Charity over £400,000 a year. So if you are having a spring clean why not drop any unwanted clothing to your nearest Fire Fighters Charity recycling bank. You can find yours here: www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/recyclemap
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COMMERCIAL UPDATE
Summer holidays… sorted! Book your summer holiday with us, enjoy all that Devon has to offer and help support thousands of UK fire fighters. It’s the perfect package holiday!
Booking a holiday at Harcombe House offers beneficiaries and holidaymakers a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a break away, while also supporting and directly contributing towards The Fire Fighters Charity. Over the last 12 months hundreds of holidaymakers have enjoyed the picturesque countryside and idyllic coastline within reach of Harcombe House. Here is what some of them had to say on the independent ReeVoo website:
“Excellent value for money, very relaxing location and easy access to places of interest.” Reg
Surrounding Harcombe House there are plenty of local attractions to explore and enjoy, here are some of our favourites.
Exeter’s Farmers Market
Shoppers keen on sampling West Country foods are able to sample a wide range of produce at the Exeter Farmers Market. Customers visiting the market have the opportunity to buy a delicious range of foods such as cheeses, venison, pork, lamb, beef, chicken, organic fruit and vegetables, chillies, apple juice, fish, chicken, preserves, cakes, bread, pies and much more.
Exeter Cathedral
Exeter Cathedral is one of the oldest and most beautiful Cathedrals in England, well worth a visit if you’re in the area. It’s only a 20 minute drive away.
Haldon Forest
“Peaceful and tranquil and safe for children.” Linda
Home to bike trails, forest walks, Go Ape treetop walk and Segways: www.go-segway.com/ all only 5 minutes from the Harcombe House Estate.
Killerton
“A great place to stay.” Kerry
An 18th-Century house, owned by the National Trust, with an historic fashion collection on the outskirts of Exeter. It also features a glorious landscape garden surrounded by parkland.
For information on the latest availability and offers for summer breaks you can call Harcombe House on 01626 853639 or visit www.harcombehouseholidays.com
“Lovely place to stay, enjoyed the calm and friendly atmosphere. Lots to do on site and nearby.” Delyth
Shout!
N I W O T E C N A H YOUR C
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te at Sign-up via our websi
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play our lottery today!
Registered Office: The Fire Fighters Charity, Level 6, Belvedere,Basing View, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 4HG. Promoter: Mrs K H Griffiths. The Fire Fighters Charity is licensed by the Gambling Commission (www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk). No chances may be sold to a person under 16 years of age. Our social responsibility policy and full terms and conditions can be found on our website www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/lottery. If you, or someone you know, needs information and/or help with problem gambling, please call Gamble Aware on 0808 802 0133 or visit www.gambleaware.co.uk Royal Patron Her Majesty The Queen
CHARITY STRATEGY
A 2020 VISION At the start of the 2017/18 Financial Year the Charity will publish its Strategic Plan for 2017-20, outlining its vision and objectives for the next three years. Detailing the plans it will put in place to develop its services across four key areas, this important plan will also detail how the Charity will ensure it keeps pace with changing external environments and how all of its activities are dependent on the support of beneficiaries and donors.
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he Fire Fighters Charity is facing one of the most challenging periods of its 74 year history. Providing a diverse range of health and wellbeing services to a growing number of beneficiaries, it is having to adapt to some seismic external inuences in order to develop the services it needs to deliver and to generate the income it needs to survive. The fire and rescue service is itself undergoing a time of unprecedented change and uncertainty, while the health and social care sector is having to adapt to tackle the demands of an aging and inactive 21st Century population. Riding in the wake of these two ships as they navigate their way through stormy waters, the Charity has therefore created a strategic plan for the next three years that will ensure its services mirror the demands of the whole fire community, delivered in and operating in an agile manner to allow it to support as many people as possible, while crucially securing the financial backing of as many existing and new supporters as possible. What you can expect When published the Charity’s new three-year strategic plan will centre on its commitment to develop its services around four key areas: 1) Building connected communities: Online/digital advice, information and support 2) Physical activity and rehabilitation 3) Mental health 4) Building connected communities: Offline and in the field
Shout!
CHARITY STRATEGY
It will also outline where the Charity is today in regards to each of these core areas, where it aims to get to by 2020 and how – with the continued support of the fire community, corporate partners and members of the public – it plans to get there. However, this document will not sit in isolation, rather it will form the first part of a series of publications that will track the Charity’s progress against its three-year objectives. Other partner publications will include the Charity’s Impact Reports for 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2019/20. Updates will also be published online throughout the plan’s lifetime. Meet those on the frontline The new strategic plan will also include a number of interviews with Charity employees actively working in each of the core areas, capturing a snapshot of what working life is like for them now. These individuals, or others in the same or similar roles, will then be re-interviewed at regular intervals over the duration of the three-year plan, on each occasion capturing what their working lives are like at the time and how they are working with and supporting beneficiaries. Interviewees reflect the diversity of employees across the Charity, all
of whom will support the roll out of this Strategic Plan, as well as the beneficiaries we work with. See more online Rather than producing a single publication that gathers dust on a bookshelf over the duration of its lifetime, the Charity plans to publish an online version of the new Strategic Plan on its website, including video footage of its key interviewees. The dynamic nature of this online version will also allow for regular updates and for new material – including staff and beneficiary interviews and case studies – to be added to the plan, demonstrating how the Charity is developing its services across the four target areas throughout the coming three years. Links to PDF versions of the plan will also be available on the website.
READ THE PLAN Once published the Strategic Plan will be available to view online at www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/ strategicplan.
A word from the Chair:
ANDREW LY N C H
The manner in which we approach the next three years will be vital to the long term future of our Charity. We have a duty to our beneficiaries – past, present and future – to ensure that we do the very best that we can for them, and we have a duty to our loyal supporters to ensure that we extract the maximum value we can from every penny they gift to us. I believe that this new Strategic Plan will allow us to do this. It sees us focussing our energies in the areas that really matter to our beneficiaries, allowing us to support more people with more relevant and appropriate services, in new and innovative ways. It also demonstrates that, to do this, we are going to need continued and enhanced support from across the fire community. This last point is so important, The Fire Fighters Charity is a benevolent organisation after all and we need to be there for each other at times of need. So I hope you will continue to support the Charity over the next three years as we push on, enhancing the services we offer in key areas such as mental health and physical activity, introducing new technologies and ways in which we can support people at home and in their local communities. Please do read the new plan. It is going to be an exciting three years and I look forward to working alongside you throughout. Andrew Lynch
“ T H I S D O C U M E N T W I L L N O T S I T I N I S O L AT I O N , R AT H E R I T W I L L F O R M T H E F I R S T PA R T O F A S E R I E S O F P U B L I C A T I O N S T H AT W I L L T R A C K T H E C H A R I T Y ’ S P R O G R E S S ”
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MEET THE TEAM Q&A: COMMUNITY CASEWORKER
Community Matters Working as a Community Caseworker Jeanne D’Amario has visited and supported countless beneficiaries in their own homes and local communities, over her 14 years with the Charity. Here she discusses what the role involves. Name: Jeanne D’Amario Role: Community Caseworker Location: Marine Court Time with the Charity: 14 years Q: What does the role of a Community Caseworker entail? A: The Advice, Information and Support Service team is made up of five Community Caseworkers, led by our Community Services Lead, Carrie Donohue. The team and I are responsible for responding to beneficiaries’ requests for support once they are forwarded to us from the Customer Care team. We then look carefully at the needs of each individual to ensure that we can provide them with, or signpost them to, the most appropriate service/s to meet their needs. Obviously the way in which we support individuals depends hugely on what their needs are. They may come to us looking for support to allow them to live more independently, or for advice and guidance as to what grants or benefits they may be entitled to. They may be facing financial hardship and need guidance on where to turn, or they may just need someone to talk to because they are feeling isolated and alone. Whatever the reason for the
call, we will do whatever we can to help each person we speak to. This may involve offering advice and guidance and signposting externally to other organisations, or we may refer that person on internally for one of our residential services. Alternatively, we might arrange for a home visitor to meet them and to find out a bit more. These visits are undertaken by one of the Charity’s many registered volunteer home visitors or, in some cases, one of our Community Caseworkers. So the role is incredibly varied and every day I could be assisting a beneficiary with the application process, providing them with the support they need until we have identified the right long term solution, or I could be making a difference to a beneficiary by simply making a telephone call and asking them how they are. Q: What do you find most satisfying and rewarding about your job? A: I find it so rewarding that each week I get speak to and support people in a variety of ways. We are able to support beneficiaries in their time of need, improve their quality of life and, in so doing, enable them to live more independently. There aren’t many jobs that give you that sense of fulfilment, that you’ve made a real difference to someone’s life.
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MEET THE TEAM Q&A: COMMUNITY CASEWORKER
“Without the on-going support from all of those who fundraise for us we simply wouldn’t be able to continue providing the depth of services that we do”
Q: What do you find most challenging about your role and how do you overcome this? A: One of the main challenges in this role, but also one of the most rewarding parts too, is ensuring that we can find the right solution for someone in a timely manner. If people are anxious, stressed or in need of support quickly, we want to be able to help them as speedily as we can. So often one of the main challenges is doing just that and finding the right services within local communities to meet those people’s needs. On the flip side, doing so and making a positive difference to that person’s situation is immensely rewarding. Of course we also work very closely together as a team and, because we do, are able to share our knowledge and experience, and pool all of this together to hopefully ensure we can provide the best service possible for our beneficiaries. Q: What advice would you give to beneficiaries contemplating accessing our services?
A: No matter how small or big you think your problem is, give us a ring and we will do our best to support you. Just pick up the phone and speak to our Customer Care Team on 0800 3898820. Q: There is a whole team of volunteer home visitors supporting the work of the Advice, Information and Support Service, can you tell us a bit about their role and the important part they play? A: Absolutely. We simply couldn’t do what we do or help as many people as we do without the incredible support of our volunteer home visitors across the country. They support the work we do out in the community and as they live locally, they have an invaluable knowledge of the services in their local and surrounding regions. Time and again they are able to make a huge difference to the lives and overall wellbeing of our beneficiaries. They may be a familiar face in that community, someone who knows the intricacies and idiosyncrasies of the local area, as well as all the available local support services
and, as such, be able to really connect with the person they are visiting, in a way that someone from outside of that area simply can’t.
Q: How valuable is the support we receive from our supporters? A: It’s invaluable. Without the on-going support from all of those who fundraise for us we simply wouldn’t be able to continue providing the depth of services that we do, and that goes across all areas of the Charity. But I’d also say that it’s not just about the incredible support we see from those who run marathons or climb mountains for us, there are a lot of people out there who support us by raising awareness of what we do. We often hear from people who have only come to us because someone they know has convinced them to do so and spoken positively about the Charity and the difference we might be able to make. So there are all kinds of ways you can support the Charity, you don’t have to run a marathon, unless you want to of course!
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DID YOU KNOW? It only costs £10 to assist a beneficiary with transport costs to attend a hospital appointment. You can donate £10 today by texting FIRE£10 to 70660.
Join our Call Out and Shout!TV mailing list and we’ll send you regular updates, news and offers from across the Charity, including: • Stories about the people we’ve helped • The latest Charity news • Upcoming fundraising events
• Special offers for our holiday breaks • New products added to our shop • Upcoming Shout!TV video updates
You can sign-up for Call Out and Shout!TV email updates online. Visit www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/callout or call 01256 366 566.
Copyright © 2017 The Fire Fighters Charity. All Rights Reserved. The Fire Fighters Charity, Level 6. Belvedere, Basing View, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 4HG. Registered charity in England and Wales (No. 1093387) and Scotland (SC040096) Royal Patron Her Majesty The Queen
HEALTH AND WELLBEING PROGRAMME
Our new programme The Charity has launched a new health and wellbeing programme at Harcombe House, but what is it and who is it for? Nicky Patton, Rehabilitation Services Lead has penned the answers. WHAT IS THE NEW HEALTH AND WELLBEING PROGRAMME?
people to be able to access the knowledge and expertise of the clinical staff to effectively manage their conditions.
The Health and Wellbeing Programme at Harcombe House is primarily aimed at those individuals who have lifestyle associated and/or long term conditions. Some examples of these problems include Type II Diabetes; raised blood pressure and cholesterol; heart disease; cancer; fibromyalgia; rheumatoid arthritis; widespread joint wear and tear; stresses and anxieties caused by living with multiple health problems. The clinical team on the Health and Wellbeing Programme is composed of physiotherapists, exercise therapists and psychological therapists.
The service is unique in that it is also able to provide places for partners to attend should they wish to. This is because we understand that many beneficiaries with longstanding problems require the support of a partner and how this can affect them as well. Partners would participate in the programme whilst at the centre, enabling a shared experience that gives individuals the tools to continue making these changes on their return home.
WHY IS IT AIMED AT INDIVIDUALS WITH THESE PROBLEMS, AND WHAT CAN I EXPECT IF I AM ACCEPTED ONTO THE PROGRAMME? It is specifically tailored towards these longstanding areas to ensure people can learn more about their problems and how to manage them. Beneficiaries will be able to work at their individual pace under the supervision of our clinical team, alongside working with others in a group. Numbers on this individually tailored programme are relatively small in order for
HOW LONG IS IT FOR? The programme runs for seven days, starting on a Wednesday and finishing on a Tuesday. The weekend days are ‘rest days’ where beneficiaries are still able to use the facilities at the centre and take advantage of the support network offered by others on the programme. These two days also provide an opportunity to socialise, to take time for yourself and to rest.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS AND RECUPERATION? The Health and Wellbeing service is an active participatory programme that is able to address needs of applicants with real term solutions. Many people applying for recuperation, are actually better suited to this more active service and by attending beneficiaries may gain more long term, ongoing benefits when compared to any further recuperation stays for the same problems. Indeed, 64% of those who applied for recuperation last year were more suited to a rehabilitation input rather than recuperation.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR IT? In exactly the same way as if you were applying for any other service – by ringing the Services Access Line on 0800 3898820 and speaking to a member of the Customer Care Team.
WHAT WILL I COME AWAY WITH? Each beneficiary is individually assessed by the relevant staff member for their condition. Individual exercise programmes
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are composed and there is plenty of time to go through these while on the programme so that a full knowledge of how and why the beneficiaries do these exercises is gained before they go home. There are a range of health education sessions that they can attend and these again are tailored to the needs of the beneficiaries in order to maximise their knowledge and understanding of long term effective condition management. Both group and one to one sessions take place during the week in the pool and gym environments. The 300 acres of Harcombe House’s grounds are also utilised as part of the programme, where appropriate, for both physical outdoor time and walking therapy if attending for a primary psychological reason. Attendees on this programme are also signposted on to services in their local community to ensure they are as self sufficient as possible when they leave the centre.
Get up and get active Harcombe House Exercise Therapist, Abbie Morris, discusses ways in which we can get off our chairs and boost our activity levels.
because everything we need is available at the click of a button. However, physical activity is an essential element of our physical and mental wellbeing and our sedentary lifestyle could be significantly affecting both.
Medical advances have increased life expectancy, but as a nation we are leading increasingly sedentary lifestyles, spending large chunks of our daily lives sitting down. Indeed, 80% of jobs today are now desk-based and, as employees spend half or more of their waking hours at work, this is contributing to the nation’s increased weight, with more than half of the British population now classed as overweight or obese. Of course, within the fire and rescue service and across the fire community, many roles are active in nature and firefighters need to be physically fit to do what they do. However, for support and control staff there is a danger that they could be sitting for long periods of time and, for those who are retired and no longer working, it can also be hard to find the motivation to be active.
Although it might seem contradictory, exercising can actually help boost your energy levels and cause an overall work performance boost of about 15 per cent, according to a 2005 study performed by health Professor Jim McKenna of Leeds Metropolitan University. It also potentially improves your ability to act as a team player, an essential element to productivity.
But why move? After all, you can do all your shopping online; you can phone or email your colleagues at the other end of the office and you can even check the weather outside from the comfort of your desk. Those of us who aren’t physically active in our jobs can go hours without moving from our computer screens,
Shout!
McKenna’s findings note that employees who exercised were less likely to lose their temper with others. Furthermore, a 2008 study from the University of Bristol noted that workers who exercised took 25 percent less unscheduled breaks than those who didn’t. Additionally, research shows that physical activity increases levels of arousal, causing faster reaction times and improvements in memory, which can both improve work productivity. Further evidence, this time from a 2011 study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, showed that incorporating just
FIREFIGHTING FIT
2.5 hours of exercise per week into the workday led to a noticeable reduction in absences. Perhaps most importantly, fit and healthy workers are less prone to exactly the kinds of preventable illnesses that can take such a heavy toll on families and society.
other end of the office to talk to your colleagues instead.
So how can we be nudged into making the right choices and get moving? Start by thinking about those times when you find yourself nudging towards making bad choices. For Physical activity is known example, if you find the little to help reduce stress devil on your shoulder levels too, which can nudges you into buying Exercising can be a huge block a cake with your actually help boost in productivity. morning coffee, don’t Chemically, being your energy levels give him the chance active helps to and cause an overall by making a coffee lower stress work performance at home or taking hormones such boost of about a healthier snack to as adrenaline work with you instead. 15 per cent and cortisol, in turn releasing endorphins For many of us the trigger which lift the mood and to changing habits can be a help us to feel good about desire to lose weight. However, ourselves. As those who exercise this can seem like a daunting goal and begin to get fitter, accomplish new goals lead to a lifestyle overhaul that is hard or find day to day activities easier, they to maintain in the long run. However, often report feeling more positive and able when general health and wellbeing is to make decisions more confidently too. made the focus, we naturally tend to be Of course, having the right workplace more mindful of what we eat and how culture is important. You may already go much activity we do in a day. And it can to the gym or play a sport and may not be as simple as taking the stairs and have the time to complete a 5K within swapping a few of your favourite foods: your lunch break or have the ability to • Swap a latte for an Americano with milk unroll a yoga mat in the middle of your office, but you might be able to make • Swap yoghurt-coated raisins for plain small changes that can make a big raisins difference: Ditch the lift and take the • Swap salted nuts for unsalted nuts stairs. Forget the email and walk to the
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• Swap pasta for butternut squash spaghetti • Swap a cereal bar for an apple with a peanut butter dip And for many of us our bad choices come later in the day; when we’re tired or when we’ve been concentrating for a long period. So try breaking this cycle; perhaps after two hours of sitting, get up and walk 200 steps. Or maybe start a squat challenge; every three hours = one minute of squats. If your colleagues think you’re mad, get them involved! Over an eight hour day that’s enough squats to burn off the calories from a ginger nut biscuit! Hold stand up or walking meetings, you’ll probably find they’re shorter and more productive. And ask your employer whether they offer a cycle to work scheme. When it comes to food throughout the day make sure you have plenty of high in fibre food to keep you full for longer, and avoid the cakes and chocolate. There’s also now a wealth of technology available to track your fitness, count your steps and monitor your heart rate. You can use it to challenge yourself, or others; least number of steps in a day has to make the tea for everyone else the following day! So get together with your colleagues, because activities are always more fun with others. Don’t forget that all the little changes, make one big difference.
FIREFIGHTING FIT
The Resolution Revolution Psychological Therapist Anthea Whitaker on how to stick to your New Year’s resolutions.
Cast your mind back to January, did you make a New Year’s resolution to change something in your life; perhaps to reduce weight, get fit, join a gym, commit to an alcohol free January, or to improve your health and wellbeing? You certainly wouldn’t be alone if you did, and neither would you be alone if, by the end of January, you relapsed or fell back to your old ways. Now we’re a quarter of the way into 2017, New Year’s resolutions have been long forgotten for many of us, but why did we ditch them, and is it too late to revisit them now? Exploring the reasons behind redundant resolutions, it is clear that our old behaviours are comfortable. They form part of our everyday lives and as the weeks passed we may not have
seen that we had a problem; that glass of wine every night when we got home, the packet of chocolate biscuits that quickly disappeared with the cup of tea or coffee, the gym kit gathering dust in a bag. A variety of excuses pop into our minds to protect us from changing anything; I need a drink to relax when I get home, it’s only a biscuit, I don’t have enough energy or time to go to the gym. Sound familiar? A lack of confidence in our own ability to sustain change can also be a contributory factor; feelings of low self-esteem, a wish to avoid a sense of failure, all these may hi-jack thoughts about improving • Think about what you really our health and wellbeing. If want to achieve rather than what change is self-motivated rather everyone else is doing. Dieting than imposed we are more or joining a gym may be ‘on likely to make a positive start, trend,’ but is this what you want? but what does it really mean to Perhaps a long term tweak us? If the change we are such as using the stairs contemplating comes at work, parking with a sense of the car at the “A lack of purpose we are furthest point confidence in our more likely to away from the take action own ability to supermarket and sustain entrance sustain change a change in may be can also be a behaviour. achievable on contributory an everyday Once we have factor” basis. made a decision to start a change, how • If you have can we keep ourselves previously tried to diet going and how can we help or do more exercise and you ourselves at home in order to haven’t succeeded, try something sustain a change in our lives? else. Re-visiting old resolutions that haven’t worked out may lead • I suggest making one resolution to feelings of disappointment or or change that means something frustration before you even begin. to you. It is easier to change one aspect of our behaviour and the • Can your goal be broken down into smaller steps along the chances of success are greater.
Shout!
way? This can help us measure success, keep our focus on the end goal and give us a sense of progress. • Nurture your motivation. Make a list of what your resolution means to you or how achieving it will help you, record your plans and progress made. Keeping this at hand as a reminder can be a useful tool. • Expect to relapse into your old patterns of behaviour now and again. We can learn from this and be stronger from it. Next time the setback may be less devastating and the relapse shorter. At whatever stage we are in making a change to our old behaviours it is worth contemplating what we wish to try and achieve, make some preparations prior to taking action, take action, try to maintain that and when or if we do relapse learn from it and start again.
FIREFIGHTING FIT
The long term plan Harcombe House Exercise Therapist Rob Smith explains how you can eat healthily and stick to it in the long term.
STEP 1: GET ORGANISED Making healthier choices means having fresh food in the cupboards and fridge: • Shop regularly, shop before your first working day or do a mid-week online shop? • Dedicate a few hours a week to pre-cooking. Have a look at my chilli recipe which you can freeze in air tight containers, leaving room for some rice. When you’re ready you can microwave the chilli from frozen and serve with some two minute wholegrain microwave rice. • Prepare snacks in advance; buy some small airtight containers to make up your snacks for the week. Fill with half a palm full of almonds or walnuts or maybe dried apricots or dates on days that you are active.
STEP 2: GET MOTIVATED Set yourself some goals, How about trying to trim 2cm from your tummy? If your circumference is higher than 88cm for a female or 102cm for a male this would be a really worthwhile goal. • Find the bottom of your ribs and top of your hips
• Wrap a tape measure around your waist, midway between the two points • Breathe out naturally before taking the measurement But whatever your goal, get your family or colleagues involved. You could help each other by taking turns to prepare or bring in healthy snacks to work, or take short walks together during your breaks, or train in the gym with a buddy.
STEP 3: GET INSPIRED
Rob’s Chilli
Buy a new cook book or get online and find time to make something new each week. Within a few weeks you will have a whole new repertoire of recipes to choose from. Struggling to get enough veg during the day? Make up a batch of soup and not just boring vegetable soup either. Why not create something more substantial by adding some chunks of cheese, lean meat or chickpeas to up the protein content, or maybe some pasta shapes to make it a little more filling? You could also add some Indian spice. Try a quarter of a teaspoon of turmeric, half a teaspoon of cumin and ground coriander and half a teaspoon of Garam Massala to liven up a soup. This works really well with root veg.
Ingredients
Method
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 onion 2 celery sticks 2 red chillis deseeded, or keep half with seeds if you like it spicy 2 sprigs of thyme, leaves picked and roughly chopped Rapeseed oil, for frying 500g lean beef mince or Quorn 1 tsp ground cumin 2 tsp paprika 1 tsp dried oregano 2x400g cans of chopped tomatoes 2 handfuls of chopped spinach 100ml beef or vegetable stock 3 tbsp tomato puree 1 cinnamon stick or ¼ teaspoon of ground 1 bay leaf 400g kidney beans or chickpeas Salt and pepper
Sweat the onion, garlic, chilli and thyme in 2 tablespoons oil in a large saucepan. At the same time, add the mince and brown.
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Add the dried spices to the onion mixture and cook until they release their aroma. Add the tinned tomatoes and leave to cook down a little for about 5 minutes. Pour in the stock and stir in tomato puree to taste. Drop the cinnamon and bay leaf in, then bring to the boil and leave to simmer. Once the sauce is beginning to thicken add the kidney beans or chickpeas and leave to cook for another 5-10 minutes. Cool, freeze and enjoy when you wish.
SHOUT+
Shout+
Retire, renew, refresh, review and rewind
SERVICES FOR AN AGEING POPULATION As has been widely reported over recent years, the average age of the UK population continues to increase. One consequence of this is that the proportion of the fire and rescue community that is retired is growing, a statistic that has further significance when considered alongside the decline in the number of serving firefighters. It’s then no surprise that The Fire Fighters Charity continues to see an increase in the number of retired people who come to us for support. The services we provide have advanced as a result, allowing us to provide our beneficiaries with age and condition appropriate support to ensure that they can remain as independent as possible, for as long as possible. Our holistic approach to rehabilitation, for example, now includes a new health and wellbeing programme at Harcombe House for those with longstanding or lifestyle conditions, and for whom full rehabilitation or recuperation may not be the most effective form of support. You can read all about this new programme on page 33. By ensuring each of our beneficiaries receives the most appropriate support for their need, the Charity can grow alongside the ageing population and support more people each year. However,
in order to ensure that it can continue to operate in this progressive manner and keep pace with the growing number of retired fire and rescue service personnel calling upon its services, the Charity needs the continued financial support of its beneficiaries, both serving and retired. Our regular donors are the lifeblood of the Charity and thousands of serving firefighters regularly donate through their payroll, via Direct Debit or by playing our Lottery. However, far fewer retired firefighters regularly donate to the Charity once they leave the service, so the Charity is on a drive to convince as many as possible to restart their donations via Direct Debit. Donating to The Fire Fighters Charity is vital for serving fire personnel as it ensures they and their colleagues are supported and helped back to work when a helping hand is needed. But eligibility for support doesn’t stop when you retire, and neither should your donations to the Charity. We will be there for you whenever you need us – whether it’s tomorrow or in 30 years’ time – but we need you to continue to support us so that we can help those people who really need us today. Please restart your regular donations today. You can do so online at www. firefighterscharity.org.uk/ donate
Shout!
SHOUT+
IRWIN JEWELL – A TRULY REMARKABLE LIFE PATRON In January this year The Fire Fighters Charity was saddened to hear of the death of firefighter and Life Patron of the Charity, Irwin Jewell. Irwin was continuously involved with the Charity throughout his long career in the fire service and beyond. It was in 1948, when he came out of the RAF, that Irwin joined the Berkshire and Reading Fire Brigade as a retained firefighter. He was immediately made the Charity representative of Mortimer Fire Station and during this time Irwin and his team at the station were so dedicated to regularly raising money for the Charity that the 12-strong team raised more cash than any other station in Berkshire for 25 consecutive years. He served as a part-time firefighter and had a long career
in the Fire and Rescue Service becoming the officer in charge of the station in 1958 and throughout this time he also dedicated much of his efforts to the Charity, even spending 14 years on the National Executive Committee. He was on the committee that oversaw the purchase of Harcombe House and, following a cold winter, Irwin organised a change in the heating system in one of the cabins for free. This was then done throughout the site so that all the guests were comfortable and could enjoy their stay. Irwin was also involved in the purchase of Jubilee House and watched as the Charity went from having one centre to three state of the art locations to help beneficiaries. Irwin’s work was recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honour list of 1977 where he was awarded a BEM for his
services to the Fire Service. Back in 2014 Shout! was lucky enough to spend time with Irwin and hear his stories about the earlier days in the Charity and how he got to know the Charity’s Co-founder, Ronnie Green. Irwin explained then that; “One day I met Ronnie down at Marine Court, he was picking up beneficiaries in an old Morris Mini Traveller and could only take a couple at a time and so he spent a long time ferrying back and forth. In fact, none of the guests realised who he was at first, they didn’t realise that they were being picked up by the manager! But I knew that one of these days the car would break down and so I set about raising money to help. I decided to organise and run a horse show to fundraise and this was so successful that it continued
PROTECTING THE CHARITY’S FUTURE
On behalf of the Charity, Shout! would wholeheartedly like to thank Irwin for the dedication, enthusiasm and hard work he gave over the years. Without the support of Irwin and others like him the Charity would not have been able to achieve so many significant milestones over the past 74 years. The Charity offers its deepest condolences to Irwin’s wife Myra, his family, friends and all those who knew him.
SHOUT+ GALLERY like getting married, having children or retiring, it is worth reviewing your will to ensure it still meets your requirements. Please remember to seek legal advice prior to making any changes to your will.
We’re hugely grateful to everyone who leaves a gift to us in their will, not only when they sadly pass away, but also at the time when they first make the decision to write a will and include us in it.
wishes are carried out regarding your estate. You decide who inherits what and what happens to the things you own and the people you care about. Without a will, matters become far more complex, even for those who are married and settled, as the law will have deemed you to have died intestate. Your estate will then be subject to intestacy laws and divided accordingly, completely out of your family’s control.
Writing a will is important as it is the only way to ensure that your
If you have a change in your family circumstances, meanwhile,
Each year, the generosity of those who leave a gift to The Fire Fighters Charity in their will helps to secure the long term future of the Charity, allowing it to continue to support firefighters today and tomorrow.
for 25 years! Along with my station we raised enough money to buy the Charity an estate car so that Ronnie could pick up the beneficiaries easily. We continued to raise more money with different events and managed to buy another car for the Charity as well.”
If you wish to receive a copy of our Will Making booklet please visit our website www. firefighterscharity.org.uk/ mywill and complete the form or alternatively contact our Gift In Your Will team at legacies@ firefighterscharity.org.uk. Please consider leaving a gift in your will to The Fire Fighters Charity, any amount can help the Charity and would be greatly appreciated. Keeping in touch with you is very important to us, so please visit www. firefighterscharity.org.uk/ callout to ensure your details are up-to-date. This will mean that we can send you the latest information on the Charity and stories about how your donation will make a difference.
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Share your talent or your old photos from your time in the fire and rescue service and we’ll publish the pick of the bunch in future issues of the Shout+ Gallery. Send all entries to shout@ firefighterscharity.org.uk. In this issue we share a photo of Irwin Jewel that featured in the Reading Chronical newspaper from 1977 after he was awarded the BEM.
SHOUT+
PAST AND RETIRED MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS We hope that you find this list useful, but if your association isn’t here and you’d like it to be, let us know by emailing us at shout@firefighterscharity.org.uk National Association of Retired Firefighters
www.narfire.org.uk
NARF Buckinghamshire
www.bucksvoice.net/narf
Durham and Darlington Retired Members Networking Group
www.xddfire.org.uk
ECFRS Retired Members Association
www.essex-fire.gov.uk/Media/Retired_Members_Association/
Hampshire Past Members Association
www.xhfrs.wordpress.com/welfare
NARF Hereford and Worcester
www.hwfire.org.uk/your_fire_service/narf.html
Humberside Retirement Page
www.facebook.com/HFRRP
London Fire Brigade Retired Members Association
www.lfbrma.org/
Find an old fire service friend
www.ex-fire.co.uk/lostfriends.html
NARF Sheffield and Rotherham
www.narfsheffield.org.uk
Tyne & Wear Fire & Rescue ‘Old Hands’ section
www. twfire.gov.uk/oldhands
NARF West Midlands Branch
www.wmnarf.co.uk
Wiltshire Retired Firefighters Association
www.wrfa.org.uk/
FireNet
www.fire.org.uk
Chief Fire Officers Association
www.fire-uk.org
Keep fit by playing bowls, visit the FSSAA website
www.fssaa-bowls.co.uk
The Firefighters Memorial Trust
www.firefightersmemorial.org.uk
Worshipful Company of Firefighters
www.firefighterscompany.org
Department of Work and Pensions
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-workpensions
Civil Service Pensioners Alliance
www.cspa.co.uk
National Pensioner’s Convention
www.npcuk.org
Kent Fire & Rescue Retirement Association
https://sites.google.com/site/rapieronlinenewsletter
Derbyshire NARF
narf.derbys@gmail.com
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Retired Employees Association
www.facebook.com/SFRSREA
The Avon Fire & Rescue Service Pensioners Association
www.avonfirepensioners.org
Disclaimer: This information was collated by The Fire Fighters Charity and to our knowledge was correct at the time of going to print. We cannot be held responsible for any changes to this advice or for any external links or information.
NARF CORNER Ian Ferguson, editor of the National Association of Retired Firefighters News, on the association’s special relationship with The Fire Fighters Charity. As The National Association of Retired Fire fighters (NARF) approaches its Golden Jubilee year in 2018, the links between the two organisations appear to be growing stronger and stronger. I know that there are many retired firefighters out there who do a lot of fundraising for the Charity. Indeed, in my own branch (Durham & Darlington) there are absolute stalwarts who never miss an opportunity to raise those vital funds for The FFC. They are out there at
every Fire Brigade function, be it an open day, a Fire engine rally, or whatever, they are there selling goods from The FFC stall. Personally, I think it’s so important that we should ALL help the Charity as any one of us (or our families) could need the excellent services and facilities that it provides. I donate monthly via a Gift Aid standing order and I do this because when I was a young firefighter, I attended an incident in which two of my colleagues sadly lost their lives, an incident which impacted on me immensely, and still does. I realised that night, that it could have been any one of us lying there. The Benevolent Fund, as it was then, did an excellent
job and offered support to the young widows and their children who had been left without husbands and fathers. But in later years, and now that I’ve retired, I’ve seen the benefits of using The FFC’s facilities for things like rehabilitation and recuperation. It’s all there for us to enjoy and take advantage of, but, and it’s a big but, it all has to be paid for and that’s why it’s so important that we all should contribute towards it. If everyone reading this article set up a Direct Debit to donate just £1 more a week, the impact this would have on the Charity would be tremendous. I was brought up with the ethos that you must contribute, you can’t always take, you must give.
Shout!
The costs involved with running and maintaining the services associated with an organisation like The Fire Fighters Charity are massive and these costs have to be met one way or another. That’s why it’s so important that, whether you’re a serving or retired firefighter, you don’t take the Charity for granted and just expect that it will always be there as and when you need it. Because without proper support, it may not be. Don’t leave it for someone else to pay, it’s so easy to set up a Direct Debit and help The FFC to meet the ever increasing pressures and demands that it is under. Go on, you know it makes sense!
A GREAT BREAK and a great cause Get away and take advantage of all that Devon has to offer during the quieter weeks with our off-peak rates at Harcombe House.
www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/harcombeholidays • 01626 853639 Fire Fighters Trading Ltd, Level 6, Belvedere, Basing View, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 4HG. All money raised by Fire Fighters Trading Ltd directly supports the work of The Fire Fighters Charity (Registered in England No. 4480058 Charity Reg. No. 1093387. Charity Registered in Scotland No. SC040096)
1967_Harcombe House A5.indd 2
27/02/2017 15:09
We are seeking FRS individuals to support the Charity’s governance. Attend our AGM and cast your vote in the best interests of the Charity’s future. The ideal Company Member has a genuine interest in the Charity and a commitment to undertaking the key duties of the role.
Closing date 26 May 2017.
Find out more, email companysecretary@firefighterscharity.org.uk Copyright © 2017 The Fire Fighters Charity. All Rights Reserved. The Fire Fighters Charity, Level 6. Belvedere, Basing View, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 4HG Registered charity in England and Wales (No. 1093387) and Scotland (SC040096) Merchandise sales are managed by Fire Fighters Trading Limited (registered company no 03816625) which is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Fire Fighters Charity.
Royal Patron Her Majesty The Queen
COMPETITION
Win a £100 Joules Voucher Premium lifestyle brand, Joules, is a great supporter of The Fire Fighters Charity textile recycling programme. Joules kindly donates recyclable material and clothing which enables us to generate vital additional income to support a growing number of beneficiaries every year.
In addition to this, Joules has also generously provided a £100 gift voucher for our competition in this issue of Shout! This voucher will be valid to use online at www.joules.com, or in a standalone Joules store. To win, simply answer the question below and send your answer– together with your name, address and a contact phone number – to: shout@firefighterscharity.org.uk or Shout! Magazine, The Fire Fighters Charity, Level 6, Belvedere, Basing View, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 4HG.
What was the total weight of textiles collected during The Fire Fighters Charity January 2017 Bag it and Bank it Recycling Championship? A)
89,226 kg
B)
146,451 kg
C)
213,613 kg
The winner will be picked at random from all correct entries received on or before 31 July 2017 and notified via email or telephone. Your information: The information you provide will be used by the Charity to fulfil your request. Your details may also be used to keep you informed about the Charity – please call 01256 366566 if you do not wish us to contact you.
Shout!
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Warmth, efficiency & total control. That’s why Fischer have supplied over 200,000 heaters across Britain.
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Call us free 0800 103 2708 or visit www.fischerfutureheat.com
Why choose Fischer? Warmth: We’re confident in our heaters, so confident that if our heater won’t warm your room to a toasty 21oC, we’ll replace it free of charge!1 Efficiency: Our patented German engineered heaters are low input and heat retaining, minimising energy wastage and saving you money. Control: Our wireless thermostats are controlled by temperature not time, allowing you full control over your heating and your energy bills. Fischer now offers gas and electricity, join our One Fair Tariff today!
Call us on 0800 014 9896 or visit www.fischerenergy.co.uk
*With a two year guarantee on the thermostats 1When installed by Fischer within 12 months of order †Credit is subject to application and status. Terms and conditions apply. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Fischer-Future Heat UK Ltd, The Waterfront, 19-20 North Mills, Leicester, LE3 5DH act as a credit broker and only offers products from Barclays Partner Finance. Barclays Partner Finance is a trading name of Clydesdale Financial Services Limited a wholly owned subsidiary of Barclays Bank PLC. Clydesdale Financial Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Financial Services Register Number: 311753). Registered in England. Registered No. 2901725. Registered Office: 1 Churchill Place, London, E14 5HP.. Fischer Future Heat Ireland Ltd, Lower Ground Floor Unit 4C, Fingal Bay Business Park, Balbriggan, Co Dublin
“I’m so glad I changed my old heating system to Fischer. Such an improvement on my old storage heaters! Individual thermostats in every room give me ultimate temperature control.” D. Owens, Isle of Wight
Request your free catalogue today Call us free on 0800 103 2708 Quote discount code ST0317 or post the coupon
Address the envelope to: FREEPOST FISCHER FUTURE HEAT (No stamp or address required) Name: Phone: Address: Post Code: Your information will not be sold to a third party.
ST0317
Te x t respond to 70660 to donate £5 thank you
We made a life changing difference to 5,107 people from the fire and rescue community last year, but we operated at a £500,000 loss. We want to help even more people this year, but to do this we need your donations. Help us. RESPOND today.
Watch the video at
firefighterscharity.org.uk/respond
The Fire Fighters Charity receives 100% of your donation. Texts cost £5 plus network charge. Please obtain bill payer’s permission. The Fire Fighters Charity is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Supporter care: 01256 366581. Registered in England No.4480058 Charity Reg. No. 1093387. Charity Registered in Scotland No. SC040096. Registered Office: The Fire Fighters Charity, Level 6, Belvedere, Basing View, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 4HG
Thank you to the staff at Bedfordshire FRS for supporting us with this appeal
Royal Patron Her Majesty The Queen