Fire Fighters Charity

Local News

Local fire & rescue service manager climbing the tallest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales

I’ve been part of the fire and rescue service since 2007, starting as a part-time firefighter in Essex before joining Hertfordshire, then Bedfordshire’s 999 fire control centre. You may have spoken to us when you dialled 999 after witnessing that accident on the A1M, perhaps when your car caught fire one night, or your neighbour’s bonfire got out of control, coming perilously close to your house. Always ready to receive your call and help you in your worst moments. It’s not a job that you often ‘leave at work’ and the pressure it puts on mental health is significant. That is one of the reasons why I, along with colleagues from all over the UK, are raising money for The Fire Fighters Charity. The Charity offers specialist lifelong support for members of the UK’s fire services community, empowering individuals to achieve mental, physical and social wellbeing throughout their lives. To ensure the Charity can do this for over 5,000 people a year and to meet the £9m cost of operating its support services, it is dependent on regular donations. To raise as much money as possible, I am taking on the National Three Peaks Challenge in June 2023, climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowden; back-to-back, aiming for less than 15 hours climbing time.

Could you please help us to raise these much-needed funds – please scan the QR code to donate safely.

Are you a business owner? Could you consider sponsoring us and have your company logo displayed on our social media posts? Together we’re hoping to make a difference to members of our Fire Family who may be in need. Dave Smith, Upper Caldecote

Local News

When things hit close to home, they make us think a little more carefully about things

1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer. If you are over 50, or you’re black, or your dad or brother had it, you’re at even higher risk. Prostate cancer is not always life-threatening. But when it is, the earlier you catch it the more likely it is to be cured. I am not really one for sharing personal stuff on social media usually, but I guess this is exactly what it should be used for, to share personal experiences and raise awareness. My grandfather had prostate cancer and my dad has recently been diagnosed with it, meaning that my chances have doubled and if I get it that means my two year old sons chances double when he is older. I don’t have a fight or flight, it’s all fight, so as soon as I heard the news, I started looking at all the relevant information available but unfortunately there isn’t much clear advice due to lack of research. As much as I’d love to do the research myself I can’t so I’ll leave that to the professionals BUT I can raise awareness by speaking about this and sharing my experiences and fears and I can also raise money so this is the first of hopefully many, fundraising challenges I will be setting myself. I am completing a marathon called ‘Football March’ where I will be taking on a unique 26.2 mile marathon walk, which starts, finishes and passes through some iconic football clubs along the way around South London on Sunday 25th September. Thank you for reading, sharing, and giving in advance. Kieran https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/football-march-2022-london-20802

Crossword Puzzle Solution from our August Edition

Last Month’s Crossword Winner - Will Punchard from Bythorn