Shout! Spring 2019

Issue 20 Spring 2019

Official magazine of The Fire Fighters Charity

www.firefighterscharity.org.uk

Life support The incredible, death-defying and life affirming story of Bob and Jo-Anne Stovell

Spirit of Fire 2019

Find out how to nominate your winners

Volunteer Spotlight

Why our volunteers really matter

to da y Pl ay

2019 Spring Raffle Your chance to win some amazing prizes

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GO OUTDOORS VOUCHERS

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BIKE VOUCHERS

To buy your tickets visit www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/raffle

Draw date: Friday 14th June 2019 Please gamble responsibly: www.gambleaware.co.uk.

Promoter: K H Griffiths, The Fire Fighters Charity, Level 6, Belvedere, Basing View, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 4HG. Licensed by the Gambling Commission, under the Gambling Act 2005 (www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk). Tickets must not be sold by or to any persons under 16 years of age.

Registered office: The Fire Fighters Charity, Level 6, Belvedere, Basing View, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 4HG. Charity registered in England & Wales (1093387) and Scotland (SC040096).

Editorial Welcome to this Spring/ Summer 2019 issue of Shout! from The Fire Fighters Charity. As ever there is a great selection of features for you to read in this, the biggest ever issue of the magazine, which is also now being sent to 60,000 of our donors and supporters across the UK. All of you have made such a huge difference to the Charity over the years, so I hope you enjoy reading about some of the incredible people you have helped to support.

I also hope you take some time to read through the great article on page 28 about Spirit of Fire 2019.

Our annual awards ceremony is returning this autumn, celebrating the incredible fundraising and awareness-raising achievements of members of the UK fire services community over the past 12 months.

We’ve expanded the ceremony this year to cover 12 categories and nominations for winners across all of them are open now. The article outlines all you need to know about each of the categories and how you can nominate your winners, so make sure you do so before the deadline at the end of May. And I look forward to meeting all our nominees and winners later in the year.

However, Spirit of Fire isn’t the only exciting thing to be happening this year. Later in the year we are looking forward to officially launching our redeveloped Harcombe House centre in Devon. You can read much more about the work that’s taking place there from page 22, but the result of this extensive undertaking will be a state-of-the-art centre and facilities that will allow us to achieve

so much more for so many more beneficiaries. In the field of mental health especially, the new look Harcombe will provide opportunities for individuals, couples and families to access innovative and effective support to help them move forward positively in their lives. It’s an exciting project that reflects the commitment of our Trustee Board – and of everyone within the Charity – to ensure that we evolve and grow as an organisation, delivering the right services, in the right way to meet the needs of the modern fire services community.

Enjoy this issue of Shout! and have a great summer. Don’t forget you can keep in touch with the editorial team at marketing@ firefighterscharity.org.uk if you have any ideas for stories we could cover in future issues.

Dr Jill Tolfrey Chief Executive

Contents 4 Shout! about it All the latest news from The Fire Fighters Charity

All you need to know about our Shop In A Box scheme and how to order yours

6 Events

22 Open house

Brigage, Terry Gooding, on the joy of volunteering

40 Putting you first Director of Beneficiary Services, Sharon Bailey, on our support philosophy

Find out what’s going on over the coming months and how to take part

The latest on the redevelopment of our Harcombe House centre in Devon

7 @FFC

28 Spirit of Fire 2019

41 The truth about back pain

Find out about this year’s 12 award categories and how you can nominate your winners

We take a close look at low back pain and explain how you can hopefully avoid it

32 Meet our Marathon team

44 Perfect Protein

Tweets, posts, likes and shares

9 Income Facts Meet Kate Griffiths, Income Generation and Engagement Manager

10 The magic of storytelling Meet Sophie Pierce, Copywriter

Meet the athletes who will be taking on the Virgin Money London Marathon for us this April

How much protein should we actually be eating?

Our nutrition experts reveal the truth

34 Regular service

45 Cervical cancer

12 Defying the odds

Find out why our regular donors are so important to us

Bob Stovell’s incredible road to recovery, with the support of his daughter Jo

36 Volunteering explained

18 Thank You and Good Luck A special mention to the runners, riders, swimmers and climbers who raise money for us

20 Box of delights

Our fundraising and volunteer managers explain why volunteers are vital to our work and how you can join their ranks

38 Capital investment

Volunteer Regional Coordinator for London Fire

All the facts on cervical cancer and why attending screening is so important for women

46 Shout+ News and information for the retired community, including the latest on our Living Well Groups

50 Competition Enter our simple competition to win another great prize

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 and our supporters have been working on over the last six months. 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

Spirit of Fire 2019 nominations open Nominations for our annual awards ceremony, Spirit of Fire, are now open. Celebrating the fundraising and awareness-raising achievements of supporters from across the UK’s fire services community, Spirit of Fire 2019 includes 12 award categories.

Anyone can nominate an individual or team for an award and doing so is easy. Simply complete the online form at www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/spirit2019 and tell us exactly why you think your nominee deserves to take home a Spirit of Fire award at our ceremony in central London this autumn.

Full details of all the awards categories and the nomination criteria for each can be found on page 28 of this issue of Shout!

Good luck.

Going the extra mile Over the course of 2018, our 75th anniversary year, hundreds of supporters embraced our #My75Miles fundraising challenge to raise a staggering £56,000 and cover an impressive 65,000 miles.

Cycling, running, walking, skiing, swimming and finding a whole host of other ways to circumnavigate the planet over two and a half times, our #My75Milers also shared their stories and photographs with us over the course of the year.

You can read all about the incredible exploits of our #My75Milers – including our Chair’s 100-mile run across the South Downs and 12-year-old Andrew Impey’s epic bike ride – at www.firefighterscharity. org.uk/thisismy75miles

Shout!

NEWS

News Shorts...

Telegraph Christmas Charity Appeal

Bag It And Bank It breaks records Our annual January Bag It and Bank It textile recycling competition broke all past records this year as 809 fire stations across the UK collected a combined total of 312 tonnes of textiles, generating £68,145.70 for the Charity. That’s a lot of old shirts and trousers.

This enormous sum beat 2018’s previous record total by £11,000.

The Fire Tones: One of the best

They may not have made it to the elusive Christmas Number One spot – having been beaten by a song about a sausage roll – but The Fire Tones’ Christmas single helped raise both vital funds and public awareness of the Charity.

Led by Welshpool firefighter Chris Birdsell-Jones, the group’s cover of the Band Aid classic ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ gained national attention, and was at one stage the bookies’ favourites to be number one.

On behalf of everyone at the Charity, thank you for all your efforts. You’ll always be number one in our eyes.

Sign of the times Innovative new digital screens have been introduced at our three residential centres, to help keep people informed about what’s going on across the Charity.

Dynamically updated with live information from our website, Facebook and Twitter accounts, as well as with latest news, videos, event information and daily announcements, the screens will allow visitors and beneficiaries to quickly and easily keep up to date with everything going on across the Charity.

Furthermore, beneficiaries can see their own photos and videos on the screens by tweeting them with special hashtags. See the screens for details.

The Telegraph’s Christmas Appeal for 2018/19 raised an incredible £148,234.44 for the Charity after we were selected from hundreds of charities to join Young Minds and Changing Faces as beneficiaries of the newspaper’s annual campaign.

In return we received coverage across all the newspaper’s on and offline channels, as well as a share of the funds donated by its readers over the two month duration of the campaign.

insights into how we’ve supported individuals coming to terms with PTSD, life at our centres and the mental health challenges facing fire and rescue personnel across the country.

With this year’s focus on mental health, a series of features across the weekday and weekend newspapers, as well as The Telegraph’s website, covered aspects of our work, as well as the stories of our beneficiaries and our employees. Appearing throughout December and January these editorial and multimedia features included

“Through The Telegraph’s features both online and in print, the Charity benefitted hugely from this fantastic opportunity to engage with the paper’s readers.

It has not only lead to a fantastic sum being raised for us but has, we hope, helped to raise public awareness of the need for mental health support amongst the UK’s fire services community.”

“Being chosen as one of the three charities was a real privilege, and gave us a fantastic opportunity to showcase our work and the inspirational stories of our beneficiaries,” said Head of Marketing and Engagement, Tim Beynon.

CSIS grant gives Living Well Group boost We recently received a generous one-off grant of £10,000 from the Civil Service Insurance Society’s Charity Fund, to support the extension of our network of Living Well Groups.

“We are very grateful to the CSIS Charity Fund for this generous donation,” says Chief Executive, Dr Jill Tolfrey. “This money will enable us to reach even more retired members of the fire and rescue services in isolated communities across the UK. Our Living Well Groups bring people together, encouraging social interaction, nurturing friendships and enabling learning. This money will help greatly in allowing more of these vital groups to be set up and to run regularly.”

For more on the Living Well Groups and our need for volunteers to help run them, see page 47.

Functional Drills Week at Marine Court Our Marine Court centre in West Sussex recently held a Functional Skills Week to help firefighters who have been on long-term sickness absence to physically and psychologically prepare for their return to work.

Kirsty. “People worry about passing their fitness test after being absent from work due to sickness for a while, so this helped us to shape our focus in regards to the planning needed for this special week.”

Exercise Therapists Kirsty Gladdis and Craig Williamson came up with the idea after being asked to plan a targeted week at the Littlehampton base.

The resulting Functional Skills Week involved the physical and psychological teams at Marine Court working together to create a programme designed to improve fitness and emotional resilience in the short and long term.

“We’d spoken to a few beneficiaries about the need for a focus on their physical fitness to help get them prepared for the fitness test, but the more people we spoke to, the more we realised there was also a huge psychological block about returning to work as well,” says

The team took elements from the fire ground fitness test – which firefighters have to complete in 11 minutes – and adapted it slightly for their facilities. Included in the circuits were a dummy drag, car cutters simulation, hose roll out

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and re-roll, a simulated ladder run and lifting weights wearing breathing apparatus.

Days would start with a session in the hydrotherapy pool, before exercises and lectures throughout the day, ending with guided meditation. Psychological discussions, meanwhile, covered topics such as motivation and resilience, stress and anxiety reduction techniques, nutrition and pain management.

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...

Throughout the year: Ultra Challenge Series Walk, jog or run at your own pace as you take on the Ultra Challenge of your choice, covering either 100km, 50km or 25km for the Charity. Join 20,000 other participants of all ages and take in some of the UK’s most beautiful scenery. Strolling along 25km of the Thames Path through the Capital and past its 16 historic bridges, hiking around the full edge of the Isle of Wight, or taking on the ups and downs of the Jurassic Coast are just some of the routes on offer.

Join as an individual or a team and enjoy rest stops and meals along the way, plus medics,

massages and pace walkers to keep you going. Various options are available, including daylight only, a continuous challenge, or camping along the route.

How to enter: Find full details of the series and how to register at www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/ ultrachallenge2019 Entry cost and minimum fundraising: Full challenge: £15 fee and £595 raised Half challenge: £10 fee and £395 raised Quarter challenge: £5 fee and £245 raised

Sunday 5 May 2019: The ABP Newport Wales Marathon & 10K After the inaugural event proved to be a success last year, the national marathon of Wales is back. Boasting a fast, scenic route, the event is arguably one of the UK’s flattest marathons, with over 70% of runners claiming a marathon personal best last year. Starting and finishing along Newport’s vibrant riverfront, the route offers iconic landmarks, coastal wildlife, picturesque medieval villages and the regenerated city centre.

The flat 10K supporting race attracts some of the UK’s top athletes and gives runners of all abilities the chance to take part in one of Wales’ biggest weekend of mass participation,

31 October to 4 November 2019: Saharan Mini Adventure

without committing to the full 26.2 miles.

How to enter: Register your interest online at www. firefighterscharity.org.uk/ newport-marathon Entry cost: £25 for either option Minimum fundraise: £150

A challenging trek against the backdrop of the awe-inspiring Sahara Desert, this short but adventurous trip offers a bite-sized desert experience.

From flat desert floor scattered with ancient fossils, to perfect wind-blown sand-dunes, this trek is diverse and demanding.

The vast, unforgiving desert is a truly beautiful place to discover, while the incredible star-strewn night skies are unforgettable, especially with a new moon.

Accompanied by Berber guides and a small caravan of camels, go on a fundraising adventure like no other.

How to enter: Find full details of the series and how to register at www. firefighterscharity.org.uk/ saharanminiadventure Entry cost: £99 per participant Minimum fundraise: £1,750 per person

Saturday 20 July: The Broadgate Tower Run Up 2019 Stair climbing is a fast-growing sport, providing the perfect platform to wow your friends and family, as well as boosting your fundraising efforts. This July, you have the chance to climb the 35 floors (that’s 877 steps) of The Broadgate Tower in the City of London... and for those wanting to go the extra mile, quite literally, you could take on the massive Vertical Mile challenge, doing the climb 12 times to cover 420 floors.

Or if you want a bit of middle ground, you can do a quarter of a vertical mile, doing three climbs and covering 105 floors.

Entry costs and minimum fundraise differ depending on the challenge, and an early bird

Shout!

offer is available for people booking before midnight on Monday 1 April.

How to enter: Full details and how to register at www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/ broadgate2019

SOCIAL LIVES

FFC

We love hearing about all the incredible things you do to support us and the experience of those who we’ve been able to support. We’d love to mention and thank you all, but it would fill up the entire magazine. Instead, here’s a brief selection of your recent comments on our social media channels – do make sure you get in touch via Twitter (@firefighters999) or Facebook (/thefirefighterscharity).

Tweet relief Face to face

Zoë

@ZoeBeth6

Stewartie Low 3 October 2018

We have just donated 14 bags of our clothes at the Wargrave Fire Station for @firefighters999.

Hope others can support our Fire Fighters Charity! #BagItandBankIt #firefighterscharity #Berkshire #charity #donate #recycle #clothes

Amazing place. Never thought I would need the service after 35 years. Brilliant! Love to all staff that helped in all aspects of rehab!

Jenny Dobbin 16 November 2018

Jordon Gilks

Steve Burns

Just on my way back from Harcombe @firefighters999 honestly never appreciated how good and skilled their staff are!

I’ll be forever grateful for their work and dedication over the past week #ItsOkToNotBeOk

Fantastic post chemo recuperation stay at Jubilee House with my family for free, because the Fire Fighters Charity exists. Brilliant bungalow with full board in main building. Thank you Fire Fighters Charity. Truly grateful.

@JordonGilks

@robbieburns1971

Lancashire Fire

Kate Flynn

.@Aspray_Claims have chosen the @firefighters999 to be their charity of the year so we’ve let them come down to our @ LfrsStc for a taste of what it’s like to be a firefighter for the day!

Shauny rocking his vest from @ firefighters999 #firefighters #charity #support

@LancashireFRS

We have just come back from a family holiday at Jubilee House in Penrith. The house, staff and grounds were amazing. Nothing was too much trouble for the staff and we were very comfortable there! The facilities are outstanding, we are very lucky to have such a great rehabilitation centre in such beautiful surroundings. We will return for a stay in the beautiful Lake District and cannot recommend Jubilee House enough, thank you!

Saul Bolton 12 January 2019

Just back home from my first 6 days of treatment on my shoulder following rotator cuff repair surgery 12 weeks ago. Brilliant place with brilliant and knowledgeable therapists. You have brought my recovery forward massively. Thank you to all the fantastic friendly staff throughout the centre for making such a wonderful relaxed environment. You are all a credit to the charity.

Andrew Ward 30 January 2019

@katiomiz

My wife has just returned from her second visit to Jubilee House following surgery to remove a benign brain tumour, such a great place run by excellent people and so glad that facility is available in our times of need. A great place that we all hope not to visit!

David Potter 22 January 2019

These people are AMAZING.I have been to Jubilee House a few times and attended all the lectures (even though I didn’t have some of those issues at the time) over the years I have used what I learnt to help me through some tough times. Bless you all, keep up the good work x

Carrie Petrie @PetrieCarrie

#Proudtosupportthecharity.

Gift from hubby #fireywife @firefighters999 @manchesterfire

Ian Creasy 22 January 2019

Harcombe House is a fantastic place. Spent 10 days there 5 years ago for physiotherapy following a broken collar bone. The entire staff there are amazing people doing a great job.

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Income Facts

By Kate Griffiths, Income Generation and Engagement Manager, The Fire Fighters Charity

I

’m proud to know that my role has a direct impact on the people who rely on us for support from within the fire services community.

I’ve worked here for 10 years, originally joining on a part-time basis after taking a career break to have my children. However, that time out of work played its own part in my ending up here.

I was involved with fundraising for different charities throughout that time and found that I really enjoyed it. I then saw a fundraising-related vacancy advertised at The Fire Fighters Charity’s head office and the rest is history.

Today I manage the Charity’s Individual Giving team, a group of fundraisers with responsibility for recruiting and retaining our regular donors – individuals who donate to us on a regular, monthly basis. The money that comes in to us each month from these regular donors represents a vital income stream for the Charity. They account for the majority of our total fundraising income each year and the regularity of their generous donations allow us to manage our day-to-day activity, plan ahead, to build and grow our services and ultimately support more beneficiaries.

The team also looks after all other types of donations from individuals, including The Fire

Charity exists to support every single member of the UK’s fire and rescue services and their dependants, and we would be able to do so much more for them if our income better reflected the size of the community we support.

Fighters Charity Lottery, our special raffles and one-off donations. So mine is a really varied role and one that provides both challenges and moments of great satisfaction. A new regular donor, a new lottery player, a four-figure one-off gift or a £5 a month uplift in a regular donation…every one of these is a success and represents a boost to our income, which is immensely satisfying.

I love a challenge too – which is important in this role – and this year we want to work with fire and rescue services and individuals across the whole of the UK to raise an extra £250,000 through regular donations. It’s a big figure, but I’m confident we… or rather you, reading this…can do it. Here’s the simplest way to get there: We need 1,667 new people to become regular donors, each donating £10 a month, plus Gift Aid. That’s less than 3% of the number of people who have received this issue of Shout!

However, in order to reach this figure, we need more people to sign up to become regular donors and we need those of you who currently donate to encourage your friends, colleagues and family members to do the same. Only a small percentage of our beneficiary base currently donates, and I’d love to see that figure rise.

After all, The Fire Fighters

We need 1,667 new people to become regular donors, each donating £10 a month, plus Gift Aid. That’s less than 3% of the number of people who have received this issue of Shout!

I’m passionate about what we do as a charity and the vital role our fire and rescue services play in keeping our communities safe. I’ve also seen first-hand just how much fire and rescue service personnel in need can benefit from the support we provide. Our health and social care practitioners do fantastic work every day, and I’d love to be able to shine a light on that and give every potential regular donor a guided tour so that they can see it for themselves.

I really think that if more people saw just how we help others, and how we might one day be able to help them, it would

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encourage them to become regular donors.

Setting up a regular donation is now so easy too, it just takes a couple of minutes on our website. How much you choose to donate is of course up to you, but I always like to think about the day to day things we often buy without thinking about it.

A £10 a month donation, for instance, equates to one cup of coffee a week, or two pints of beer – at London prices(!).

I regularly donate to the Charity myself and am proud to do so. Of course I am biased, but The Fire Fighters Charity really is a great organisation to work for and to support. So if I can play a small part in convincing others to do the same, I’ll take great professional and personal satisfaction in that.

Become a regular donor today You can become a regular donor today by visiting www.firefighterscharity. org.uk/regulargiving.

Don’t forget that if you’re a UK tax payer we can also claim an additional 25% Gift Aid on each of your donations. So don’t forget to tick the Gift Aid box.

Thank you.

MEET THE TEAM

The magic of storytelling

By Sophie Pierce, Copywriter, The Fire Fighters Charity

F

or as long as I can remember, I have been obsessed with stories. When I was little, they were the made up ones in my head and the friends I found in much-loved books. When I was a teenager, they were the stories of classmates and boyfriends. And as an adult, I have made a career of hearing and sharing other people’s stories.

As the Copywriter for The Fire Fighters Charity, it’s my job to bring your stories to life in the hope that, by doing so, your account will either help others to recognise their own issues and reach out for support, or prompt an emotive response in the reader that leads to a valuable donation.

I know I’m biased, but I think I have one of the best jobs in the Charity. I get to connect with people on a personal basis, working with individuals to tell the story that they want to tell. Always different and always inspiring, people often tell me about their careers and involvement with the fire and rescue service, the events that

I think it’s a privilege to be told the inner most workings of someone’s life, knowing you will recreate their story for others to read.

led to their need for support, how we helped them and what life has been like afterwards.

Everyone’s story is different and many are emotionally challenging for the storyteller, but we only ever share the bits you are comfortable with sharing and always treat each story with sensitivity and respect.

I also get to learn what a long-lasting impression time spent with the Charity has made on people’s own lives, as well as their friends, family and colleagues. I think it’s a privilege to be told the inner most workings of someone’s life, knowing you will recreate their story for others to read, and it’s a responsibility I take very seriously.

I’d like as many of our beneficiaries as possible to be able to tell their story in full like this, with someone completely impartial, but very interested, listening to them. And I like to think that being able to lay it all out there in this way is part of the healing process too, looking back at the whole picture, and recognising how far you’ve come.

The more people I speak to – whether in person or over the phone – the more it energises me to want to do right by them. I’ve been to our centres and seen first-hand what a difference our support makes to people’s long-term mental and physical recovery, and I’ve spoken to people in the community who have

Shout!

benefitted from the things you or I might take for granted, like being able to get to the bathroom or upstairs. So, it may sound cheesy, but I sincerely hope that the stories I write make a difference and help people realise that the Charity is there for them when they need it.

When I think of the power of words, I always think of one of my favourite childhood books, Roald Dahl’s Matilda: “These stories gave Matilda a hopeful and comforting message: You are not alone.”

Share Your Story Do you have a story to tell about your involvement with the Charity?

Visit www. firefighterscharity.org. uk/share-your-story and we’ll be in touch.

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DEFYING THE ODDS Jo-Anne Stovell has pledged to leave half of her estate to The Fire Fighters Charity after her father, Bob, was supported in the wake of a family tragedy that left him in a coma and fighting for his life.

At 11pm on an otherwise-ordinary Friday evening in August 2009, Jo-Anne Stovell received a phone call that would change her family’s lives forever. From the other end of the line, the voice of a police liaison officer calmly explained how earlier that afternoon, down a Gloucestershire country lane, her parents had been involved in a catastrophic traffic accident.

While driving with fellow motorcyclists on their way to a rally, recently-retired firefighter Bob Stovell and his wife, Mo, had no time to react when a postman pulled across the road right in front of their bike.

The postman would later plead guilty to careless driving, as his ‘momentary lapse of attention’ resulted in Bob fighting for his life in hospital and Mo dying from her injuries.

“As a firefighter’s daughter, I think I’ve learned to shut off my emotions when I need to,” says Jo-Anne. “It sounds strange, but I had to tell myself, she’s dead, there’s nothing you can do for her, but dad needs you.”

Three weeks into a new NHS job, then-26year-old Jo-Anne says going into what she calls ‘official mode’ was the only way to cope when faced with the site of her dad lying in a coma in the Intensive Trauma Unit: “I can’t tell you how many machines he had wired into him,” she says. “But you just do what you have to do. I take after my dad in that way.”

While Bob lay in a coma, Jo-Anne helped with funeral arrangements for her mum, spoke to her parents’ life insurers, supported her older sister and dealt with the ongoing police enquiry. Then, in October, just before the funeral, Bob woke up.

“He came around in time to choose the song to be played,” says Jo-Anne. “I adore my dad, and now that he was awake, I wanted to come back and see him as soon as the service was finished. I didn’t feel like sticking around to celebrate my mum dying, but he insisted I take the whole day for her.”

On days they couldn’t get to the hospital, Jo-Anne and her sister would ring for news. It

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“I can’t imagine how hard it must have been, to have spent your whole life as a fit firefighter where it was your job to look after people, then to suddenly be so reliant on your daughters to look after you.”

Jo-Anne Stovell

was during one phone call they learned Bob had had a cardiac arrest, and was once more in a coma in intensive care.

“My doctors told me later that I had died and been resuscitated five times,” says Bob. “They say I am a one-off and treat me as an experiment, because in the military hospital I was in, where lads were flown in from Iraq and Afghanistan, they’d never known anyone survive injuries like mine before. I’m on life number six now. I know how hard it was for my daughters to go through that.”

When he came round a few weeks later, he had no memory of either the accident or the death of his wife. And on top of this, he had no idea who Jo-Anne was.

“That was the hardest part of the whole thing, even more than when I had to ID my mum’s body,” she says. “He didn’t recognise me and couldn’t remember anything new, so I had to keep explaining. He would cry and swear at me, insisting I wasn’t his daughter.

It was excruciating.”

Throughout the winter, Jo-Anne got into the routine of travelling between her hotel and his hospital bed, constantly having to explain what had happened, only for him to forget and ask to see his wife, then get upset all over again.

“On some level, I think he knew I was special to him, because he would let me feed him when he wouldn’t let the nurses, but it was so hard that he didn’t believe I was his daughter,” she says. “Then one day, just before Christmas, I walked into the ward prepared for the usual onslaught, and he sat up in bed and said ‘hello Jo.’ It was amazing.”

Once more, Jo-Anne explained about the accident, her mum, the funeral, and the

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extent of Bob’s injuries. Except this time, he understood.

“When your brain experiences trauma, it shuts itself down to forget the incident, but I’d also lost a lot of memory through physical damage to my brain, which will never come back,” says Bob. “It took me a year and a half to be able to remember anything from before the crash. Even now there are things I can’t remember, but certain songs, photos, even smells, they bring things back.”

What followed next was a painstakingly slow recovery period. Bob – who had been given only a 40% chance of surviving his initial injuries – was now told he would never walk again. Except, being a ‘typical stubborn firefighter’, Jo-Anne says he refused to accept this.

“He tried to discharge himself, but one night spent having to crawl up the stairs of his old house saw him return to hospital the next day,” she says. “He was frustrated at how slow the process was, and even more frustrated by how much he had to rely on me.”

Bob spent a year in hospital, undergoing treatment and physiotherapy for his injuries, and eventually was allowed to go home in a wheelchair. But that’s where his mental health took a turn for the worse.

“He would cry his eyes out and say he didn’t want to live,” says Jo-Anne. “I can’t imagine how hard it must have been, to have spent your whole life as a fit firefighter where it was your job to look after people, then to suddenly be so reliant on your daughters to look after you.”

It was at this point The Fire Fighters Charity became once more involved in Bob’s story.

As he had visited Jubilee House earlier in his career for recovery from an injury, the

“People at Jubilee House pushed you constantly to see if you can do it, and always offered an alternative way of thinking. Instead of saying ‘no, you can’t, they’d say ‘can you?’” Bob Stovell family knew he would be happier among his own kind.

“My dad never opened up about things he’d experienced as a firefighter, but being surrounded by peers at Jubilee House meant he was with people who all had the same mentality,” says Jo-Anne. “Hospitals can only do so much, but The Fire Fighters Charity put a spark back into him that had been all but extinguished.”

For Bob, who has always prided himself on his stubborn ability to get on with things, the staff at Jubilee House gave him the push he’d so desperately been needing: “They weren’t afraid to let me try and see what I could do,” he says. “I remember once, being in the gym, a physio took me by the arm and walked me across the middle of the floor. I got halfway across before I realised I had no walls near me, and that until then, without realising, I’d never walked away from a wall in case I fell and needed something to grab hold of.

Things like that, they pushed you constantly to see if you could do it, and always offered an alternative way of thinking. Instead of saying ‘no, you can’t, they’d say ‘can you?’.

They were the ground roots to start me getting better, pushing me enough so that when I came home I could push myself.”

Jo-Anne believes just being at the centre helped her dad: “Home had all these

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associations that got in the way of healing; the door where he came home for the first time from hospital, the bed he suddenly slept in alone, the stairs he couldn’t climb. Being at Jubilee House helped him focus on the future, rather than the past.”

Between his visits to Jubilee House and time spent practising when he got home, Bob managed to progress from a wheelchair to a Zimmer frame, and then to a pair of walking sticks. He was introduced to a local company in Penrith who specialise in metal sticks used for Nordic walking across rough ground, which help Bob with his stability.

Now, nearly ten years since the accident, he just uses sticks to walk while out and about, and manages without anything when he’s at home.

“Stubbornness is a family trait; no-one tells us what we can or can’t do,” he says. “My wife was a one-off, no-one told her what to do, and I am the same. And both of my daughters refused to give up, despite having their own issues to go through.”

Bob now regularly works out at his local gym to maintain his progress, and despite noticing setbacks more than he used to after longer time between his visits, he doesn’t let that stop him. “I can’t hold my stamina or strength like I used to, but I do what I need to do to keep alive,” he says. “I’m not really going

to get any better now, it’s more a case of maintaining the fitness I do have.”

“Stubbornness is a family trait; no-one tells us what we can or can’t do.” Bob Stovell

“The Charity saved my dad’s life, there are no two ways about it,” says Jo-Anne. “He wanted to give up, but they didn’t let him.

I’ve known firefighters my whole life, they’re a tough bunch. But too often, people think all they have to deal with is physical injury, and that’s just not the case. Being at Jubilee House, hearing what other people have experienced and sharing your story is just as healing as the programmes themselves.”

By way of saying thank you to the people who changed the course of her family’s story, Jo-Anne has pledged to leave 50% of her estate to The Fire Fighters Charity in her will, with one condition: it has to go towards Jubilee House.

“I don’t mind what it’s spent on, I just want it to be spent there,” she says. “I know for a fact my dad wouldn’t be where he is now without those people. I hope my money goes some way towards helping others who have shut down to start opening up again. I hope it helps people put their mind at rest, to find peace and gain a little perspective.”

Bob also donated money to Jubilee House, asking how much it would take to renovate one of the nursing care rooms, and then giving them that amount of money.

“From what they’ve spent on me for the amount of times I’ve been up there since the crash, I wanted to give something back,” he says. “As a firefighter I spent time there to help with injury, my wife and I would visit Marine Court for short breaks in the early days of our relationship, and my family benefited from the Charity after the accident.

The Charity does wonders; it’s surprising how many firefighters don’t know about it, or that they’re eligible. The way they can get

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people back to fitness, both physically and mentally, is such a good thing. I just wanted to do something for the benefit of others, so they can be helped like I was.”

When asked what she would say to anyone who was unsure about approaching the Charity for help, Jo-Anne is very clear: “I would say speak up, no excuse. Surround yourself with people who understand you and let them in. Firefighters don’t give themselves enough credit, they just see it as work; especially the older generation, who had more of an attitude of ‘just getting on with it’ and are so adamant they don’t need help. But we all need to stop every once in a while. The Fire Fighters Charity saves lives just like firefighters do, so why wouldn’t you go there to help you deal with things?”

For someone who doesn’t like to wonder ‘what if?’, Jo-Anne says she knows what her mum would say if she could see the progress Bob had made: “She’d be as proud of him as I am,” she says. “And she would be really pleased to know I was leaving my money to the Charity. I would never have done it to the extent I have if it wasn’t for what you’ve done for my dad, and she would be very proud of that. It’s a nice feeling, knowing someday, my money will help someone in the same way he was helped. As long as there are firefighters – which I hope is forever – there will always be people who need The Fire Fighters Charity.

I’m just glad to be able to do my bit.”

Leave a gift in your will To find out more about how you can leave a gift to The Fire Fighters Charity in your will, visit: www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/will

Become a Company Member in 2019 We are seeking FRS individuals to support the Charity’s governance.

Attend our AGM and cast your vote in 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 23 May 2019

To find out more visit www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/companymember or email companysecretary@firefighterscharity.org.uk Copyright © 2018 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

THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK

Fundraising focus There are so many people taking on amazing challenges to raise money for the Charity. Here we say thank you to just a few of those who’ve already completed their challenges.

Thank you...

Broadgate Tower Run Up A group of firefighters and members of the public raised a combined total of £3,648 by taking on the Broadgate Tower Run Up in London last November, climbing the building’s 35 floors either once, three times or an incredible 12 times. Many of the firefighters taking part did it in their full firefighting kit, some even with their breathing apparatus.

Sarah Bascombe Bournemouth firefighter Sarah Bascombe cycled 340 miles from Paris to Geneva over four days last September, raising more than £2,000. Sarah took on the challenge to give something back to the Charity as a thank you for the physical support she received following injury.

#My75Miles success Thank you to everybody who took part in our #My75Miles challenge for our 75th anniversary last year – you ran, swam, walked and cycled more than 60,000 miles and raised more than £50,000 between you.

Peterhead Fire Station’s Red Watch (left) raised £6,500 by embarking on a tough two-day trek along the disused Banff and Buchan Railway line to Dyce and back.

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THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK

Christmas Fundraising

Cambridgeshire FRS

Many stations and volunteers gave up their time in the run-up to Christmas to hold collections for the Charity, and their hard work and dedication paid off as a fantastic £128,754 was raised in total – £16,000 more than last year. Extra special thanks go to Preston Circus Fire Station in East Sussex, who raised the highest amount once again, with a total figure this year of £8,428.

The Sports and Welfare Association of Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service kindly made a £1,000 donation to Marine Court recently to say thank you on behalf of the many employees who have attended the centre.

Bericote Properties Thrill-seeking staff members at Bericote Properties raised nearly £14,000 for the Charity by zip-lining off the top of a 210m-high power station chimney. They helped test equipment that will be used for our June ZipLondon event in partnership with London Fire Brigade, Canary Wharf Group and Evelina London Children’s Hospital.

Jessica’s Toddle Two-year-old Jessica from Edinburgh entered a half-mile sponsored walk from Inverleith Park to Crewe Toll Fire Station to raise money for her heroes in the fire and rescue service. She surpassed her £150 target and finished with a fantastic total of £259. Great fundraising, Jessica.

Good luck...

British Firefighter Challenge

Good luck to you And finally, everyone at Shout! would like to wish you the very best of luck if you’re embarking on a fundraising adventure of your own this year. Whatever you’re doing – whether it’s helping at an open day, trekking the Himalayas or holding a bake sale – we’d love to hear about it and see your photos and videos. So get in touch with shout@ firefighterscharity.org.uk and let us know what you’ve got planned.

Best of luck to everyone competing in the British Firefighter Challenge, an annual sporting event, which pushes firefighters to their limits as they tackle a variety of challenges in full kit. The event welcomes firefighters from all over the world and changes location every year, with this year’s challenge taking place at Watford High Street, Hertfordshire on the 27 and 28 July.

We’d love more volunteers for this event so if you’d like to help out for just a couple of hours, please contact our Volunteer Lead Kate Harrison: KHarrison@firefighterscharity.org.uk

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COMMERCIAL UPDATE

Box it up With Open Day season on the horizon, here’s all you need to know about ordering and using a Shop In A Box at your station’s big day.

As the days get longer and the sky gets brighter, now is the time to start planning those station open days. And what perfect addition could there be to your day than to sell family-friendly merchandise for The Fire Fighters Charity?

Now in its seventh year, our Shop in a Box scheme is the perfect way to sell official merchandise, knowing profits from them will go towards supporting the mental, physical and social needs of the fire and rescue services community. Over 300 boxes were issued to events in 2018 generating an income of over £65,000 for the Charity.

Shout! sat down with Kelly Horne, Retail Merchandiser, to discuss all things Shop in a Box (SIAB).

What sorts of things are inside each SIAB? Each box contains up to £450 worth of merchandise, including baseball caps, fire engine toys, keyrings and of course, Blaze Bear. Stock is mainly aimed at those spending their pocket money, so most items cost less than £5. We also have some exciting new products for 2019, including our exclusive Blaze Bear Fun Book. As well as the products, you’ll receive a price list so you know exactly what to charge, a stock list to check against before and after your event, and instructions on what to do with the money raised.

How much does it cost to have one at an event?

We don’t charge anything for people to take part in the SIAB scheme, but we do ask that they sell a minimum of £150 worth of stock per event, so that more profit can be donated to the Charity. If you’re not sure if that amount is achievable, give us a ring on 01256 366566 so we can discuss it further. We’re aware that even with careful planning, some things are taken out of your hands, like the weather or being called out on a shout.

Can people ask for variations on the box’s contents?

Unfortunately no. We look at sales from previous years and research to pre-select what goes into the boxes. This is reviewed and amended during the year to allow for seasonal differences, which enables us to run the programme smoothly and keep costs to a minimum, when we are battling rising cost prices. We carefully monitor the box and what works well, so we’re confident that everything inside will attract visitors at your event.

What if people want a smaller box?

For some smaller events, we can offer a smaller box, with around £250 worth of merchandise, for which we ask a target of £100. For every request, we’ll look at the best options, using our experience and knowledge of past events to work out which is exactly right for you. There are some events where a Shop in a Box isn’t suitable at all, but we’ll discuss that with you when you call.

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How and when should people book an SIAB? Booking is really easy and can be done in one of three ways. You need to tell us the date, name and address of the event, your contact details, a delivery address and who will be responsible for the box. We have a form online (search ‘shop in a box’ or ‘siab’ at www. firefighterscharity.org.uk), you can email siab@firefighterscharity.org.uk or you can phone 01256 366566. And in terms of when, the sooner the better, but if you’ve got an event within the next 10 days, give us a ring and we’ll see if we can accommodate your request.

Then what?

Then you just wait to hear from us. The SIAB team will contact you to confirm your booking details, and then a few days before the event, we’ll send you an email to confirm your box has been dispatched, and give you the tracking details for your courier.

COMMERCIAL UPDATE

What if the box doesn’t turn up?

We use recorded courier delivery, so we should be able to track exactly where it is,

but if your box still hasn’t arrived two days before the event, contact the team so we can rectify the issue immediately.

And on the day?

How you choose to display your Shop in a Box is up to you, and we encourage people to have fun with how they set up their shop, but the most important thing is that you keep the stock safe and protected from the weather. Make sure you keep the box, as you’ll need this to send back any unsold items afterwards.

can send you another one, which should only be used for SIAB money, to save our Finance team having to track down other money raised or chasing you for a donation you’ve already paid in.

How will people know how well their event did?

Once the box has been received back with its contents verified, and money has been paid in, we’ll send you a thank you letter confirming how much money was raised.

What does the money go towards?

The Shop in a Box sceheme is operated

by The Fire Fighters Trading Ltd. All profits from the scheme are donated to The

What happens after the event?

So you’ve had a successful day and have sold a lot, but you still have a few bits to send back, which is fine. We ask that you repack any unsold items and paperwork back into the box they came in, and contact us on 01273 464666 (they’re open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm) so they can arrange a courier to come and collect. You will need to use the pre-paid courier label, which is provided inside the box, as they cannot collect it without this.

What about paying in the money?

We ask that any money raised by your SIAB is paid in as soon as possible, using the paying-in slip we provided in the box. This should be completed within 14 days of your event. Please don’t use the station’s paying in book, as money raised through SIAB is allocated to a different account than your usual fundraising events, which is why we give you a separate slip. If you’ve lost it, we

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Fire Fighters Charity, helping us provide specialist lifelong support for members of the UK fire services community, empowering individuals to achieve mental, physical and social wellbeing throughout their lives.

HARCOMBE HOUSE

Open House Hard hats and high viz vests will be a common site at Harcombe House this year as our Devon centre undergoes a makeover to introduce innovative new support opportunities for more people. But it’s still business as usual.

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HARCOMBE HOUSE

January saw the start of refurbishment work at Harcombe House, as our residential centre in Devon prepares for the next chapter in its story and the role it plays in supporting the mental, physical and social needs of the UK’s fire services community.

The work comes after we successfully bid for funds from the last LIBOR awards in 2017 to establish a recovery centre to deliver ‘high quality emotional wellbeing services for fire and rescue services personnel.’ Since then, we’ve been working hard behind the scenes to draw up and refine plans to make the most of Harcombe House’s buildings and extensive grounds.

The aim of this development work has been to ensure Harcombe’s long term future as a centre of excellence and innovation, delivering first class mental health, physical

“Every decision we’ve made has been to ensure the building is fit for purpose to best serve beneficiaries during their time with us,” says Director of Organisational Development and Corporate Services, Chris Goonan.

“Harcombe House is a beautiful building, but we want to give it a facelift to make sure all areas are exactly where they need to be whilst being sensitive to the history of the building itself.”

On the ground floor, improvements to the reception area will create a lighter space to greet new arrivals, while the dining room area will be extended into the current coffee shop space to accommodate the growing number of beneficiaries. The coffee shop will be moving into what is currently the bar area.

Upstairs, on the first floor, some of the larger bedrooms that have always boasted the best views of the estate are going to be

“No two people attending Harcombe House will do so for the same reason” health and social support for individuals, couples and families. Ensuring that we can deliver more, for more people, the project has involved a number of teams working on the refurbishment of Harcombe’s buildings, the development of its extensive grounds and the evolution of its services to embrace new innovations and opportunities.

transformed into spaces that can be used by our practitioners for group work and activities with beneficiaries. Some of the existing bedrooms will remain, but these will be out of service during refurbishments, and the current lounge, once refurbished, will be a relaxation space for beneficiaries to enjoy.

The first phase of this complex planning process concluded at the end of 2018 and, in January this year, work began on the refurbishment of Harcombe House itself.

The second floor, which was added in 2005, is going to be transformed into a communal office space and break area for employees, where all teams work alongside each other when they’re not with beneficiaries. There will also be meeting rooms and video conferencing facilities, both for contact with people after leaving the centre and other Charity employees.

Plans for the architecture have been sensitive to its historic, listed status, but work has started to improve the accessibility of facilities and the scope of areas available for beneficiaries within the main house.

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HARCOMBE HOUSE

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Of the 28 bungalows, which have all been recently refurbished, 19 will provide accommodation for individuals, couples and families accessing our support. One will be used for the delivery of services and the remaining eight will be available for holiday rentals. The outbuildings will also be going through refurbishment in the near future, while the bar area will become more of an all-purpose relaxation space, including a new coffee shop and drinks counter.

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The remodelled rooms and floors at Harcombe House will perfectly complement the service delivery model that we have in place across the whole Charity. Tailored to meet the specific needs of every beneficiary, we take the time to fully understand each beneficiary’s circumstances and work to ensure that we can deliver the services that they need in the most appropriate way. For some that may be through support in their local communities or online, while for others it may mean a stay at Harcombe House or one of our other two centres.

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“No two people attending Harcombe House will do so for the same reason,” explains Director of Beneficiary Services, Sharon Bailey. “So we need to ensure that we have the infrastructure, resources and facilities in place to deliver first-class, bespoke support for everyone who comes through the centre’s doors. Investing as we have done in Harcombe will allow us to do that and to ensure that we can quickly and easily adapt the support we provide to ensure the best

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HARCOMBE HOUSE

possible outcome for every person who stays with us.”

The first cohort of beneficiaries to experience this personalised approach to support at Harcombe House arrived at the beginning of January, and the experience of each group will continue to develop for those who follow in their footsteps.

“Our practitioners work in partnership with our beneficiaries to understand their needs and goals, says Sharon. “We’re taking a holistic approach, with people at the heart, our focus is to support and enable people to live well, despite any challenges that they may face.”

Incorporating elements from previous health and wellbeing, recuperation and rehabilitation programmes, activities for beneficiaries at Harcombe are varied, from group sessions to 1:1 support, from physical sessions to educational workshops and time for rest and relaxation.

“As our services develop we are looking to broaden the range of activities available,” says Sharon. “We’ve already begun to

We’re taking a holistic approach, with people at the heart, our focus is to support and enable people to live well, despite any challenges that they may face.” incorporate things like yoga, fishing and Tai Chi and we have also piloted some art therapy sessions. We want to be able to offer a range of activities that will inspire, enable and support our beneficiaries. By introducing our beneficiaries to vocational activities they might not have previously considered, they can engage with these upon their return home and continue to move forward positively in their lives.”

Watch this space for more news on refurbishment progress at Harcombe. And don’t forget, if you’re living with poor mental health or a long-term condition that is affecting your wellbeing, get in contact with the Charity and see how we could help.

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MERCHANDISE

Get creative and win a Blaze Bear!

All New Blaze Bear is going for gold

We have three new, golduniformed Blaze Bears to give away to art-loving junior supporters. If you’re aged 11 or under, all you have to do to be in with a chance of winning one, is draw a picture of Blaze on an adventure. He could be tackling a fire, helping with a rescue or taking part in a fundraising bungee jump, it’s entirely up to you.

As well as being available in his classic blue uniform, we are excited to announce that Blaze bear can now be found in an all new gold uniform. The new look Blaze is available exclusively online from Monday 1 April and will cost just £8, plus postage and packaging.

Standing at 11-inches tall, Blaze Bear has long been a favourite amongst young and old. Last year, as part of our 75th anniversary celebrations he joined intrepid adventures undertaking our #My75Miles challenge and was photographed helping his owners to run, ski, cycle, pedal and row their way to their fundraising milestones.

This year, in his new gold outfit, Blaze is once again hoping to find owners who will take him with them on adventures across the UK and overseas. Alternatively, he’s also happiest being cuddled by our junior supporters.

Our classic blue-uniformed Blaze Bear is also still available from our shop, so be sure to snap up Blaze, in the uniform of your choice, for just £8. www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/shop

Shout!

Send your entries to: Blaze Bear Colour Competition, The Fire Fighters Charity, Level 6, Belvedere, Basing View, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 4HG. Entries must be received no later than Tuesday 30 April and entrants must be aged 11 or under. We’ll also print the winning picture in the next issue of Shout!

MERCHANDISE

Big day accessories Are you planning your wedding this year, or have you got a big event in the pipeline? Why not support The Fire Fighters Charity on your big day by sporting or using these great accessories?

Fire Fighters Charity Tie TIE £19.99

Children’s Fun Book F BOOK £2.00

Lapel Pin LAPEL £4.00

Fire Fighters Charity Cufflinks CUFF £10.00

Colouring Pencil Pot CPENCILS £1.50

Thin Red Line The thin red line has become the symbol used across the UK’s fire services community to show respect for firefighters injured or killed while on duty. Show your allegiance by purchasing one of our thin red line products.

Thin Red Line Lapel Pin TRL LAPEL £2.00 Thin Red Line Cufflinks CUFF TRL £10.00

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Thin Red Line Velcro Backed Badge TRL BADGE £4

Spirit MERCHANDISE of Fire 2019

Spirit of Fire 2019:

The Nomination Game

www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/spirit

Following the success of Spirit of Fire 2018, we will once again be celebrating the support of the UK’s fire services community at an awards ceremony this coming Autumn. Spirit of Fire 2019 will see 12 awards handed to deserving winners from across our diverse beneficiary and supporter base, marking the extraordinary and inspiring ways in which each has supported The Fire Fighters Charity over the course of the last year. Nominations for the awards are open until 31 May, so nominate the person, team, business or young person you most admire to ensure they get the recognition they deserve. Read on for more details.

NOMINATE ONLINE NOW To nominate your deserving winners visit www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/spirit

Shout!

Spirit of Fire 2019

• You can nominate the same nominee for more than one award if you wish, but we would ask you to complete a new nomination form for each award you wish to do so.

• Shortlisted nominees will be decided upon by merit, rather than by number of nominations.

• All nominations will be assessed by a panel of judges from across the fire community.

• Allow time for your nomination. The more information you can give us, the more information our judging panel has to assess your nominee

Spirit of Fire 2019 will once again bring some of The Fire Fighters Charity’s most deserving supporters and beneficiaries together for a day of celebration. As was the case last year, we will once again mark the incredible fundraising and awarenessraising achievements of individuals and teams from across the UK fire services community. From those who have run marathons and climbed mountains, to those who have shown strength in the face of personal adversity to fundraise so that others can receive support in the future. The circumstances and stories of each of our nominees will inevitably be as inspirational and uplifting as ever. We can’t wait read them.

Supporter of The Year – Corporate and Supporter of The Year – Young Person.

If you would like to nominate an individual, a team, service or business for any of 2019’s awards you can do so through our simple online nomination form available at www. firefighterscharity.org.uk/spiritoffire19.

For guidance, here are a few pointers: • Nominations are open to anyone across the UK’s fire services community, whether serving, retired, wholetime, retained, a beneficiary or a member of the public with a personal link to the fire community.

In 2018, Spirit of Fire returned to the fire calendar after an absence of three years.

The success of the awards, and the spirit in which they were embraced by serving and retired fire service personnel across the UK, meant that our Trustee Board was happy to confirm the future of Spirit of Fire as an annual opportunity to recognise the outstanding contributions of our supporters and beneficiaries.

Plans for 2019’s celebrations are therefore now underway, with nominations open across 12 categories. From whole fire and rescue services to individual young people who have done extraordinary things to support the Charity, we’ve added three new categories for 2019, replacing the Supporter of The Year – Non-beneficiary award with Supporter of The Year – Public;

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• Complete each section of the form.

Our newly designed nomination form for 2019 will take you through the nomination process step by step, so please ensure you complete each section in as much detail as you can.

• Know your numbers. If the person you are nominating has raised a huge sum of money or travelled a huge distance, make sure you know how much and how far. We will need to verify all financial information we receive, so please be confident in the figures you are submitting.

• Don’t leave it too late. If you have someone in mind, nominate them now. You’ll need time to gather information and complete your nomination, so don’t leave it too late.

Spirit of Fire 2019

Spirit of Fire 2019 The Categories

www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/spirit

Supporter of The Year – Fire and Rescue Service

Here’s all you need to know about our 12 award categories for 2019, who’s eligible for each one and the precise details of what you can nominate someone for. If you’d like any further information, email us at spirit@ firefighterscharity.org.uk

Awarded to the UK fire and rescue service that has contributed the most in regards to its dedication and support of The Fire Fighters Charity from January 2018 to the day nominations close on 31 May 2019. The Service’s contribution does not, however, have to be solely monetary or related to its fundraising performance, as the judging panel will take into account factors such as how a service’s support may have changed or evolved over the period, as well as different contributions made by teams within each service. The size or location of a service is also not taken into account.

Supporter of The Year – Firefighter Awarded to the firefighter who has demonstrated the most outstanding support of The Fire Fighters Charity from January 2018 to the day nominations close on 31 May 2019. The award is open to both serving wholetime and serving retained firefighters. The support demonstrated can be through fundraising or voluntary activity, or through organisational development.

We’re looking for the firefighter who has gone over and above the call of duty in the name of The Fire Fighters Charity, who has done something truly exceptional and who has shown incredible dedication in the process.

Supporter of The Year – Control staff Awarded to the member of control staff who has demonstrated the most outstanding support of The Fire Fighters Charity from January 2018 to the day nominations close on 31 May 2019.

The award is open to anyone working in any capacity as a member of a fire and rescue service control room team. The support demonstrated can be through fundraising or voluntary activity, or through organisational development. We’re looking for the control team member who has gone

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over and above the call of duty in the name of The Fire Fighters Charity, who has done something truly exceptional and who has shown incredible dedication in the process.

Supporter of The Year - Non-uniform Awarded to the member of non-uniformed staff who has demonstrated the most outstanding support of The Fire Fighters Charity from January 2018 to the day nominations close on 31 May 2019. The award is open to anyone working in a any capacity as a non-uniformed member of a fire and rescue service. The support demonstrated can be through fundraising or voluntary activity, or through organisational development. We’re looking for the nonuniformed team member who has gone over and above the call of duty in the name of The Fire Fighters Charity, who has done something truly exceptional and who has shown incredible dedication in the process.

Supporter of The Year- Retired Awarded to the retired member of fire and rescue service personnel who has demonstrated the most outstanding support of The Fire Fighters Charity from January 2018 to the day nominations close on 31 May 2019. The award is open to anyone who previously served in any capacity for a UK fire and rescue service.

The support demonstrated can be through fundraising or voluntary activity, as well as through peer or community support. We’re looking for the retired member of fire and rescue service personnel who has done something truly exceptional and shown incredible dedication to The Fire Fighters Charity in the process.

Supporter of The Year – Dependant Awarded to the spouse or dependant of an eligible beneficiary who has demonstrated the most outstanding support of The Fire Fighters Charity from January 2018 to the day nominations close on 31 May 2019.

The award is open to all those beneficiaries who are not themselves employed in any

Spirit of Fire 2019 capacity within the fire community, but who are dependent on a spouse, parent or child who is. The support demonstrated can be through fundraising or voluntary activity, as well as through peer or community support.

We’re looking for the dependant who has done something truly exceptional and shown incredible dedication to The Fire Fighters Charity in the process.

May 2019. The award is open to any team with two or more members, that works within or represents any element of the fire services community. The support demonstrated can be through fundraising or voluntary activity, as well as through peer or community support.

Lifetime Achievement Awarded to an exceptional individual or unsung hero who has committed over 30 years to supporting The Fire Fighters Charity and has undertaken outstanding dedication by way of fundraising and/or volunteering. We’re looking for someone who deserves to be honoured with the highest award of our event.

Supporter of The Year – Public Awarded to a member of the public who has shown exceptional support to The Fire Fighters Charity, despite not being eligible for support themselves, from January 2018 to the day nominations close on 31 May

2019. The support demonstrated can be through fundraising or voluntary activity, as well as through awareness raising, peer or community support. We’re looking for the selfless individual who has done something truly exceptional and shown incredible dedication to The Fire Fighters Charity in the process.

Supporter of The Year – Corporate Awarded to an organisation or company which has shown exceptional support to The Fire Fighters Charity, from January 2018 to the day nominations close on 31 May 2019.

The support demonstrated can be through fundraising or voluntary activity, as well as through partnership activities, Charity of The Year programmes or one-off activities. We’re looking for a business that, together with its staff, has demonstrated exceptional support of The Fire Fighters Charity.

Supporter of The Year – Young Person Awarded to a young person aged 18 or under who has shown exceptional support to The Fire Fighters Charity from January 2018 to the day nominations close on 31 May 2019. The support demonstrated can be through fundraising or voluntary activity, as well as through awareness raising, community or family support. We’re looking for the selfless and inspirational

young person who has done something truly exceptional and shown incredible dedication to The Fire Fighters Charity in the process.

Beneficiary of Courage Awarded to a member of the fire and rescue service community who has shown bravery and strength of character in the face of adversity. Whether in their personal or professional lives, this award recognises the obstacles and challenges that this individual has had to overcome, or is in the process of overcoming.

Team of The Year Awarded to the team that has done something truly outstanding and gone over and above the call of duty in the name of The Fire Fighters Charity, from January 2018 to the day nominations close on 31

NOMINATE ONLINE NOW To nominate your deserving winners visit www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/spirit

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VIRGIN MONEY LONDON MARATHON 2019

London Calling Meet the men and women who have been training in the wind, rain and snow over the past few months in preparation for the ultimate 26.2 mile challenge around the streets of London on 28 April. Why not show them your support by sponsoring them for all their hard work and dedication?

Sarah Holden, Lancashire

I’m an operational firefighter, being both wholetime at Lancaster and oncall at Preesall. Running is how I spend my spare time; London will be my 21st marathon, so as you might imagine after so many races, the training comes naturally to me. So I decided to shake things up a bit; I recently organised a 10km race (to help with fundraising) and ran it in full PPE. It was difficult! But I like difficult, so I decided this would be how I would run London marathon. I’ve seen four colleagues use The Fire Fighters Charity in the last few years, so decided it was time to pay something back. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/preesallfire

Stephen Clarke,

Greater Manchester I’ve always wanted to run the London Marathon and what better excuse is there to do it than to support The Fire Fighters Charity at the same time? I’ve done a few previous events, but this is my next big challenge. I would also like to see more of GMFRS contributing to the Charity and taking part in more events, so I hope that seeing me might inspire others to do the same, getting involved with either this event or others in the future.

Stewart Knott,

West Midlands I joined the fire service at 19 and served 31 years in West Midlands FRS. I retired 16 years ago, but both my sons are still firefighters in the West Midlands. During my career and retirement I have become aware of the benefits that The Fire Fighters Charity has for serving members, retirees and their families. Running the London Marathon aged 66 is a great challenge and I feel privileged to have this opportunity to raise money on behalf of the Charity.

Jamie Tudor-Riley, West Midlands

Neal and Andrew Paddington, Hampshire

I am a Watch Commander at Binley Fire Station in Coventry.

I am running the marathon for a few reasons: firstly, for the personal challenge, both mentally and physically, in one of the greatest running events in the world. I’ve run a marathon for charity before and I got the bug, so I wanted to raise money for The Fire Fighters Charity. I’ve not used the services myself, but I know of many friends and colleagues who have, and I wanted to do my bit for our charity.

We wanted to run the marathon as a father and son duo whilst both serving in Hampshire Fire and Rescue in order to raise as much money for The Fire Fighters Charity as we could. Andy is fortunate enough to have experienced the facilities that are available and wanted to ensure these would be able to continue for years to come for serving and retired personnel. We have had great fun so far with our fundraising events and cannot thank our friends, families and colleagues at Eastleigh Fire Station enough for their help and support so far.

We are very excited for the big day and training is going well, plenty of shorter events completed and we are even starting to get a collection of medals at home.

https://www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/jamie-tudor-riley1

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ nealandypaddington

John Clare, Devon

I joined the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service in 2017, having worked for the NHS before this as a rehabilitation specialist in pain management and rheumatology. I wanted to take on the London Marathon for The Fire Fighters Charity to say thank you for making my boyhood career dreams come true, and because I’m so aware of the importance of physical and mental wellbeing on people’s health.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ stewart-knott

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/john-clare3

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VIRGIN MONEY LONDON MARATHON 2019

Helen Cawkwell, Humberside

My husband is a firefighter with Humberside FRS and was supported by the Charity in the past with recovery from injury and a hip replacement. When he was diagnosed with depression and PTSD in October 2017, the Charity once again stepped off the mark to offer him support, therapy, and most of all hope.

Sean Stutt,

Scotland I’m the only Scottish firefighter taking part, so I am definitely feeling the pressure, but it’s nice to represent our service. I’ve already doubled my initial fundraising target of £2,000, because I was inspired to raise funds for the Charity after seeing how my uncle was aided back to work after breaking his ankle. Squeezing in the training is hard, as I have a young family and work on-call, but my family and workmates have been so supportive.

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/ showROFundraiserPage?pageId=966180

Lee Addington, Hertfordshire

I’m a firefighter with Blue Watch at Stevenage, but I used to be a Royal Marine commando, so I am used to physical challenges and I am really looking forward to this one. I’m running for the Charity because I know of the support they give to fire personnel and their families. I’ve seen it at Herts FRS for past and present firefighters with both physical and mental issues, so I am keen to raise as much money as possible for this very good cause.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/seanstutt1

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lee-addington1

Thomas Edwards,

Hertfordshire I am proudly running the London Marathon for The Fire Fighters Charity, as I’ve had friends who have had fantastic support with recovery from injury and illness. I also think with mental health becoming more of an apparent problem for us firefighters, it’s important we look after those who look after us.

I am getting more nervous about the marathon, as having two young children, my time to train is limited, but I am hoping I come good on the day! https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tomedwards3823

Archie Cotterill, Essex

Victoria Smith, London

In 2014 we lost our childhood home to a housefire caused by an electrical fault. The efficiency and compassion of the firefighters was second to none, helping us retrieve what belongings we could.

A fire isn’t something you plan for, and you rely on the bravery and professionalism of the fire service to not only save lives, but also our life’s possessions. Knowing The Fire Fighters Charity is there gives me reassurance the same help and support is available to them, should they ever need it. https://www.justgiving. com/fundraising/victoriasmith110

Running the Marathon has been an ambition of mine for a while now, and to be able to do it for an organisation that underpins our moral values is an amazing opportunity. I know several firefighters and they are some of the most morally upstanding people I’ve ever met, so to do this knowing it will be able to help them if and when they need it is a brilliant thing. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ajcotterill

Hannah Titchener, London

When my firefighter Dad crossed the London Marathon finish line in 2001, I vividly remember saying, aged nine years old, that one day I would run the marathon and beat his time of 4 hours and 49 minutes. Not only have I followed his footsteps to become a firefighter as well, but I am going to be taking part in the marathon raising funds for The Fire Fighters Charity. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/hannahtitchener

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FUNDRAISING FOCUS Be there for your friends and colleagues by becoming a regular donor

Regular service What is regular giving?

Why’s it important and why should you become one of our regulars?

On the opposite page you’ll see an advert that we’ve designed to encourage you to consider becoming one of our regular donors. You’ve probably heard the term before, you might already be a regular donor. But do you know why our regular donors are so important to us and why we need more people to commit to supporting us in this way?

Our regular donors are, as their name suggests, people who support the charity by donating on a regular, monthly basis through their payroll or by Direct Debit. The combined income from these donations forms the bulk of our annual income, so it’s no exaggeration to say that our regular donors are our lifeblood.

Regular stability Having a steady, predictable source of income coming into the Charity every month is so important as it allows us to: •

•

Deliver our services: As with any organisation or business, we have monthly costs that we have to meet to keep our services operational.

From staff wages to the upkeep of equipment, regular income allows us to pay for these and keep our doors open.

Plan ahead: With a predictable cash flow, we are able to remain focused on delivering support to our beneficiaries and are able to plan future projects and initiatives without worrying if we will have enough funds to deliver them.

•

Keep costs down: Devising, organising and undertaking new ways to fundraise can be a costly business, both in regards to financial cost and the administration time required. Regular donations minimise these costs, especially when done so by Direct Debit, meaning that more of your donation ultimately goes to supporting our beneficiaries.

Unlike other sources of fundraising income, our regular donations are also not affected by events outside of our control. Bad weather, for example, can put pay to car washes and open days, fun runs and races.

Regular goodness Research shows that donating to a cause you care about not only benefits the charity, it can be deeply rewarding for the individual.

Giving to charity makes you feel good and has been proven to be a major mood booster. The knowledge that you’re helping others is hugely empowering and, in turn, can make you feel happier and more fulfilled So in regards to becoming a regular donor for The Fire Fighters Charity, it’s worth remembering that by doing so you will: •

be directly funding life-changing mental health, physical health and social support for members of the UK’s fire services community.

•

be helping people who need help today.

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Regular peace of mind If we’re secure in the funds we need to keep our doors open and continue in the provision and expansion of our services, we’ll always be here for you too, should you ever need our support.

Regular increases We’re so grateful to everyone who becomes a regular donor, but when you do please also remember that over time costs have a nasty habit of increasing. So, while we love as many people as possible to become new regular donors, we also urge our existing regular donors to consider increasing their monthly donations on a regular basis too. This will not only help us to meet our costs, but also to further expand our services to meet the increasing demand we are seeing, especially in regards to mental health support.

If all our existing regular donors increased their monthly donations by just £1 a month, for example, we would raise an additional £300,000 a year.

Regular thanks Whether you’re a new regular donor or someone who has been donating for years, we’ll never stop thanking you for your support. The difference you are making is huge. Thank you.

Make a difference with a monthly donation

We make a life changing difference to thousands of people in the fire service community every 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 who are in need within our fire and rescue community.

Set up your monthly donation today at www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/regulargiving

Copyright © 2018 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

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Volunteering – What’s it all about?

You’ve probably heard us talk many times about how our volunteers are the driving force behind our fundraising and awareness raising activities, but what exactly do they do and why are they so important to us? Shout! sat down with Regional Fundraising Team Manager Natasha Mason and Volunteer Lead, Kate Harrison to find out.

Q: First of all, can you talk us through the different types of fire service volunteer roles and what they do?

NM: We have a variety of fire and rescue service volunteer roles and generally they focus on income generation for the Charity.

A couple of roles require a senior member of the FRS to work in partnership with the Charity’s Income Generation Team and develop a strategic service plan that aims to maximise each brigade’s fundraising potential. The service plan is then rolled out to our charity volunteers, be it at brigade or station level, who, within their specific role will actively assist in raising funds. This might be by participating in the National Car Wash League, organising a ladder climb, holding a station open day, taking part in a street collection or by developing a new fundraising activity.

Q: This sounds like a lot of work. Why would someone take on a role like this on top of all the responsibilities of their own job, what do they get out of it?

NM: Each volunteer will take something different from the experience; for some it will be an opportunity to give something back after they or a partner used one or some of our support services. Others may want to do it for the sense of pride and ownership they feel for their charity, while newer recruits may take on a volunteer role to integrate within a team quicker and/or be part of something bigger.

Q: Are there any other volunteer roles for fire personnel to get involved with?

KH: Yes indeed, we have beneficiary-facing volunteer roles across our three centres and out in the community. These roles include; Welfare Volunteers, Living Well Coordinators and Visitor Services Volunteers. In addition, there are key ambassadorial roles where

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the post holder endorses the support we provide both internally and externally to the fire and rescue service or to members of the public. Our Trustees, of course, are all also volunteers and they come from an incredibly diverse background, some from fire and rescue service positions, others from academic, financial or clinical backgrounds.

Q: Talking of members of the public, are there any volunteer roles where they can support the Charity?

KH: Most definitely. We have a whole host of fundraising opportunities where members of the public can support the Charity. These vary from volunteering at local events, taking part in national bucket collections or those at local supermarkets, supporting the Charity through their company, helping on a station with car washes or open days.

We even have ‘cheer volunteers’ who come together as a group to give positive encouragement to our Charity entrants at national events.

We also have general office administration volunteer roles that complement what we already do, as well as specialist roles where we utilise the professional skills of an individual in order to expand services, e.g. a fully trained yoga teacher, or a nutritionist.

Q: Why are volunteers so important to the Charity?

KH: Put simply, we would not be able to support the thousands of beneficiaries every year at our centres or out in the community without this vital collaboration. Volunteers help extend our sphere of influence, they are ambassadors for the Charity, raising awareness to a wider audience about the support we can provide and who we support. They bring a diverse range of skills and knowledge, which contributes to the

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT innovation, effectiveness and efficiency of the Charity; their involvement provides us with vital links to the fire services community; serving or retired, as well as our beneficiaries. As a result beneficiaries can feel uplifted knowing that volunteers chose to give their time.

NM: I totally agree, we couldn’t raise the amount of income we do each year without their hard work and commitment, nor could we support our beneficiaries to such a high level without having had valuable insight in to everyday life in the fire and rescue service.

What support does the Charity give to volunteers, whether public or fire service?

KH: The first priority for any new volunteer is to receive an appropriate induction that fully prepares them and allows them to perform their role safely and effectively.

This may include orientation and personal introductions, detailed information about the role as well as the ethos and expectations of the organisation. We really value our volunteers and we approach their training and support with the same due diligence that we afford to our employees.

NM: Equally, we like to show our appreciation by recognising volunteer contribution and acknowledging that they are an important part of the team.

What would you say to someone who might never have considered volunteering?

KH: Volunteering is good for your health and that’s official! Various studies have reported that volunteering is associated with improving individuals’ health and wellbeing; research into the possible health benefits found that volunteers had an improved

KH: With one in four members of the UK’s fire and rescue services reportedly feeling socially isolated after retirement, our retired FRS volunteers often talk about feeling ‘part of something again’ as they build new bonds, create new friends and re-engage with the fire community and the Charity.

What’s your favourite thing about interacting with our volunteers?

NM: In my role, I get to speak to volunteers from all over fire and rescue services who are all looking to help in different ways and bring different skills to the table. It makes every day varied, and I gain a lot from working with such a variety of people. quality of life, made better health choices, showed reductions in stress and depression and coped better with activities of daily living.

NM: Volunteers within the fire and rescue service report feeling part of a team, in fact the phrases I hear the most are ‘it’s so rewarding,’ ‘it’s our charity, I am only too happy to help’ and ‘I am proud to be part of a charity that supports my colleagues and members of my family.’

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KH: There is no doubt that volunteers are more likely to stay with an organisation when they feel appreciated, are given the opportunity to learn a role fully and can see how they are making a difference by doing what they do. The majority of our volunteers have been with us for five years or more, some nearer 20 years, meaning their contribution remains personally fulfilling.

Knowing we can still meet the motivational needs of our volunteers fills me with a great sense of pride.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Capital investments

Terry Gooding, London Fire Brigade’s Borough Commander for Bromley and our newly ensconced volunteer Regional Coordinator for London, has his sights set on transforming the Brigade’s charitable contributions.

For as long as he has been in the London Fire Brigade, Terry Gooding has volunteered his time to help support The Fire Fighters Charity.

Having joined as a firefighter almost 20 years ago, Terry now works as the Borough Commander for Bromley, as well as being the Charity’s Regional Coordinator for London, with responsibility for coordinating Brigade-wide fundraising activity across the Capital’s 33 boroughs and 103 fire stations.

“The attitude towards The Fire Fighters Charity is definitely really positive across London,” he says. “With the principle managers we now have in place we’re becoming a more people-focused organisation. Part of that is promoting individual wellbeing, and the Charity is leading the way on that front. The support we’ve received from the Charity over the years and in recent times, especially in regards to supporting the mental and physical wellbeing of our firefighters, has been fantastic and hasn’t gone unnoticed, so it’s really important for us to give something back.”

Terry’s determination to do as much as he can to help the Charity and the people who rely on it has been a constant throughout his career. During his two decades with the brigade, he has organised various fundraising events, been a home visitor volunteer for the Welfare team, and been a Company Member for two years. Today he is overseeing a project to boost the number of Charity textile recycling bins in London from six to hopefully over 60.

He is also working to improve internal communications and to raise awareness,

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in regards to eligibility and available support, amongst London’s serving and retired fire personnel.

In perhaps his biggest task yet, he is currently project managing a charity zipline collaboration between London Fire Brigade, The Fire Fighters Charity, Evelina London Children’s Hospital and Canary Wharf, which aims to raise £1million for each charity.

“It’s exciting to be able to showcase our technical rescue skills in this once-ina-lifetime way,” he says. “People don’t necessarily think of London Fire Brigade as having those skills, so it’s good for us to be able to show what we can do and make a meaningful difference to two great causes. The money raised for The Fire Fighters Charity will go towards further developing its mental health services and that it creates a real legacy in the provision of what it can offer.”

While he says seeing the event come together will be his proudest one-off achievement, Terry feels an ongoing sense of pride in the people who have been in need of help over the years, who he has pointed towards The Fire Fighters Charity.

“People who aren’t feeling too well with their mental health, and then seeing them grow and flourish, returning to the person they used to be, that’s everything,” he says. “When you don’t have resilience, everything is a big deal and feels overwhelming. We’ve traditionally been this male-dominated environment where people don’t talk about things, but we’re a lot more open to talking about mental health now. This cultural shift within LFB to a more people-focused organisation has

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

enabled more consideration to be given to the Charity, who are supporting the culture we’re moving towards.”

Having benefited from the Charity’s help twice during his career, Terry considers himself ‘very much an ambassador’ for it in London: “I visited both Harcombe House and Jubilee House and I had such a positive experience, so it’s good to give something back,” he says. “What I really liked was the holistic approach they took, not just looking at my injury, but also how I was thinking and feeling, things I was worrying about, my sleeping, even my eating. I think it’s really important people understand not only what the Charity does, but also that its help extends beyond just themselves to their family and dependants as well.”

“People who aren’t feeling too well with their mental and physical wellbeing, and then seeing them grow and flourish, returning to the person they used to be, that’s everything,” After nearly two decades of voluntary work on top of his busy fire career, Terry says it’s people that have kept him going: “I’m not a material person, I’ve always valued people over things, and seeing them grow and develop. It’s nice to give without taking, and I am very fortunate that both my day job and my voluntary roles permit me to do just that.”

Become a volunteer If you’re interested in volunteering your time to support fundraising and awareness activities, across a whole region, a service or just across your station, find out more and get in touch by visiting www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/volunteer

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FIREFIGHTING FIT

Putting you first Director of Beneficiary Services, Sharon Bailey, discusses the philosophy that governs the way we support every person we work with.

Life has a habit of throwing us a curve ball at the most unexpected and unwelcome of times. We can find ourselves facing situations in which our personal wellbeing has been compromised, as well as, potentially, that of those closest to us. These can be difficult and challenging times, physically and emotionally, but it is at these precise times that many benefit from reaching out for support and why it’s important The Fire Fighters Charity can help them when they do.

We have over 75 years of experience in supporting people through difficult times. From financial concerns and the loss of a loved one, through to living with chronic illness or recovering from an injury, the reasons our beneficiaries come to us for support are varied and no two people are alike.

Taking the first step towards asking for support can be difficult, but there are many ways in which you can contact us and take a positive step in getting the support you need. Once you have made that initial contact we will take the time to listen to how you are feeling and work with you to understand your concerns.

When our beneficiaries contact us they often ask what support we can offer, this can however be a difficult question to

answer because our support is personalised to meet individual needs. Your needs, and the needs of your family, will be different to the needs of others.

It is important that we take the time to understand what is going on in your life so we can work in partnership with you to find a solution that will help you move forward positively in your life.

personalised to meet your unique mental health, physical health and social needs. At times we may suggest working with other organisations to get the support you need or, through advice, information and guidance, we will help you navigate some of the complexities within the world of health and social care to get you to where you need to be.

one means life will never quite be the same again, but we can help you take a positive step forward.

By taking the time to properly understand your needs, our expert teams are best placed to offer the right support in the right way, in the right place and at the right time to ensure the best long-term results for everyone we work with.

Our solutions are varied and tailored to meet your individual needs. Whether at home, in your local community, at one of our residential centres, via online support channels or a blend of all of these, our support will be

Our aim is to help you get your life back on track and make a lasting positive change. We know this isn’t always easy and sometimes injury, long term illness, or learning to adjust to life following the loss of a loved

So, if you think you may need our help, pick up the phone or drop us an email. It may feel like a difficult step to make, but our professional teams will be understanding and sensitive to your needs.

Get in touch today Tel: 0800 389 8820 Email: services@firefighterscharity.org.uk To find out how we’ve supported people in the past, read or watch the real life stories of some of those we’ve helped on our website: www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/stories

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FIREFIGHTING FIT

Back pain: the truth Marine Court Physiotherapist, Tom Stone, separates fact from fiction when it comes to low back pain.

L

ow back pain has enormous physical, psychological, social and financial impacts on individuals, families, communities, governments and businesses throughout the world. Indeed, back pain is the largest single cause of disability in the UK, with lower back pain alone accounting for 11% of the total disability of the UK population.

Unfortunately in the NHS, referrals for spinal surgery are increasing year on year, as are waiting lists. Hopefully, however, after reading this article, you’ll have more of an idea of what a ‘normal’ back actually looks and feels like, and how you may be able to manage your pain without relying on last resorts such as surgery.

So, what is a ‘normal’ back?

Firstly, it’s worth remembering that the spine is a very robust structure. It plays a key role in protecting the spinal cord and acts as a foundation for the rib cage to attach to, so it indirectly protects your vital chest cavity

organs – such as your heart and lungs – too. In other words, it’s a pretty sturdy piece of skeletal scaffolding.

The spine is also designed to move in multi-directions. It has many joints, which move at different angles. By keeping your back moving as much as possible, you are not only preventing these joint from becoming stiff but also loading and strengthening the muscles that attach to and help support your back.

Far from having to be kept straight at all times, our backs are designed to bend. In fact, progressively loading and strengthening your back, whilst mobilising its joints, is a good way to keep strong and avoid injury further down the line.

Similarly, we’ve probably all been told at some point in our lives to stand up straight – chest forward, shoulders back.

Doing this tends to portray a strong and confident stance, which when viewed in isolation also gives the impression of

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someone with a strong back.

However, good posture is not so cut and dry. When it comes to ensuring against or eliminating back pain, the most important principle is to keep your back active, regardless of how upright or slouched you are. The longer your posture is static – sat in front of the computer, driving, watching TV – the worse we know this is for your back.

Problem discs Your lower back is designed to bear weight and tolerate forces transferred from your head and arms. It has a strong oval shaped vertebral body to be able to do this, but it also has discs to help absorb shock. However, sometimes these discs can become problematic and when they do the concern is more about how they are affecting your nerves. If, for instance, they affect the nerves that supply the bladder and bowel, or the saddle region, this is usually a sign that you may need to seek urgent medical attention. This should not panic you, but it is good to be aware, so you can seek advice and support.

FIREFIGHTING FIT

Most people with a disc bulge or herniation (loosely and inaccurately termed a ‘slipped disc’) would likely never know they have one. Previous studies have shown that the majority of us with no pain actually have things that an MRI scan would classify as an ‘injury’ or ‘degenerative’ and that disc herniation and degenerative changes to joints occur in a large percentage of healthy individuals. Unfortunately, for many of us this is just part and parcel of getting older.

Rushing off to have an MRI scan without very specific neurological symptoms is not useful and has actually been shown to worsen clinical outcomes in some cases.

After all, seeing and hearing about something ‘abnormal’ on an MRI scan, is only relevant if it matches with your physical symptoms. We often see abnormalities on scans that are red herrings and often sound quite sinister. It’s no surprise that in such circumstances we can be prone to feeling fearful and anxious, which can in turn set back our recovery and make a bad situation feel a lot worse.

If you have been given a specific diagnosis, however, remember that there is no set protocol for treating lower back pain.

Rehabilitation for lower back pain should be tailored to your unique symptoms, and considerations should be made for what positions make you comfortable and what positions cause you discomfort.

Acute low back pain is generally defined as pain lasting less than six weeks. It is something we are probably all going to experience at some point in our lives. It is normal to have the occasional episode of low back pain, and many cases resolve with time.

The good news is that even if the exact source of pain is not determined, the acute pain usually subsides spontaneously over time and the originally irritated tissue heals. Fifty percent of episodes nearly completely resolve within two weeks, and 80 percent by six weeks.

A few years ago, an acute episode of back pain may

typically have been managed with seven days of prescribed bed rest. However, we now know that this is counterproductive.

Evidence suggests that the best way to manage lower back pain in its acute phase is by trying to normalise everyday life and by keeping as mobile as possible.

So I would suggest taking this active approach and trying to keep a positive and optimistic outlook on your recovery.

back issues for the rest of your life. With the right rehabilitation, you may actually end up with a stronger back than you had before. In most instances, flare ups usually occur as a result of doing an activity that was outside the ‘norm’ of what you usually do. Rearranging heavy furniture, sitting in the car for prolonged periods or banging out your first weights session in the gym, if it’s not something you usually do then your back’s not going

“With the right rehabilitation, you may actually end up with a stronger back than you had before” Chronic back pain – lasting for more than three months – can be tricky to manage. Once you are past the acute lower back pain phase, the goals remain similar to before: keep moving and modify activity slightly to allow for as normal an everyday life as possible. When pain persists for long periods, there is some comfort in knowing that in most cases there is no fresh damage. With longer term pain it is therefore important to try to gradually increase training and confidence in your back and to not be fearful of bending over.

Once you have injured your back, you may get the occasional flare up, but there is no reason why you should be beset with

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to be used to it and you could experience some pain, as with any other region in the body.

As you start to move further away from acute lower back pain, you can transition your specific exercises to a more general and goal-focused approach. Most of the time the pain associated with your lower back is due to tissue sensitivity associated with something that you fear, such as bending over. However, each time you are able to load and move your back you will gain confidence and eventually build up sufficient tolerance to achieve your longer term goals, whether that is maintaining the garden, returning to work, or participating in high level sports.

FIREFIGHTING FIT

Five exercises for low back pain These five exercises are ideas that may help you progressively load and move your back after an acute episode of back pain, or after a flare up. Pick and choose your favourites, which allow you to maintain movement at your back.

Gluteal Stretch Lie on your back with both legs out straight. Bring the knee of the leg to be stretched up towards your chest and gently ease it towards you until you feel a stretch in the buttock area. To increase this stretch, bring the knee to the opposite shoulder. Hold this stretch for about 10 seconds.

Cat and Camel Adopt the quadruped position as shown in the image. Arch your back upwards as you simultaneously bring your chin towards your chest. Hold this position for a couple of seconds and move into the opposite position creating an arch in your lower back and bringing your shoulder blades together.

Extension Exercise (AKA ‘Segmental Bridge’) Lie on your back and bend your knees so your feet are flat on the floor. Your hands should be palm down on the mat.

Keeping your head on the mat and looking at the ceiling, gently contract your buttocks and slowly curl – segment by segment - your bottom off of the mat so that it is clear of the floor. Briefly pause for three seconds, then slowly lower back to the floor, again segment by segment.

Quadruped Arm Leg Raise Adopt a position in four-point kneeling with your knees directly under your hips and your hands underneath your shoulders. Lift up your opposite arm and opposite leg from the floor. Hold this position for five seconds.

Tip: place a small ball in the base of your spine, if excessive movement occurs during the exercise the ball will fall off, which you should try to prevent.

Extension Exercise (AKA ‘Cobra Stretch’) Lie on your front with your arms either side of your head, shoulders and elbows at approximately 90°. Draw your shoulder blades together and down, simultaneously straightening your elbows while keeping your hands on the floor. Lift your head and neck off the floor and peel your ribcage – rib by rib – off the mat. Hold this position for 5-10 seconds.

You can find more information on the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists’ back pain myth busting page online https://www.csp.org.uk/public-patient/back-pain-myth-busters Disclaimer: This information is for guidance purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The exercises and other advice described are not suitable for everyone and you should seek advice from your GP or specialist practitioner if your pain

doesn’t improve within a few weeks or you experience severe pain while trying any of these exercises. You should not begin any exercise routine without consulting a qualified health practitioner if you are pregnant, nursing, elderly, or if you have any chronic or recurring conditions.

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FIREFIGHTING FIT

Perfect protein Marine Court Exercise Therapists Kirsty Gladdis and Craig Williamson on the important role protein plays in our diets to resistance exercise than if it is taken in small regular amounts (every 1.5 hours) or large infrequent amounts (every six hours).

Protein is an important part of a balanced diet; it is the substance from which the structure of our cells are formed and is used for growth and repair. Proteins are made of a combination of amino acids, some of which are essential to have in our diet, others our bodies create naturally.

The recommended amount of protein intake per day is 0.8g of protein per kg of body weight.

However, if you are doing lots of exercise or sport then a higher protein intake (1 to 1.6g/ kg) is advised.

Research has shown that spreading protein intake evenly throughout the day – every three hours – gives a better adaptation

During exercise the body is placed under stress, and afterwards it needs rest and appropriate nutrition to replenish energy stores, and repair and regrow muscle proteins effectively.

It has been documented that having a high protein meal after training can enhance recovery, increase muscle protein synthesis (growth), decrease muscle protein breakdown and restore glycogen energy stores.

Sources of protein that contain all of the essential amino acids include animal-based proteins such as eggs, meat, fish, milk and cheese as well as some plant sources such as soy, tofu and quinoa. Not all meat or plant-based sources contain all of the essential amino acids, so it is important for every diet to be varied in regards to protein sources.

A table of foods that contain high protein content (data from the British Food Foundation): Type of food Portion size Grams of protein Chicken breast Medium (130g) 42 Rump steak 115g (5oz) 36 Tin of tuna Small can (100g) 25 Baked beans 1 can (415g) 22 Almonds 100g 21 Haddock Medium (85g) 20 Eggs 2 average size eggs (100g) 13 Lentil soup 1 can (400g) 12 Cheddar cheese 4 tbsp grated (40g) 11 Milk 300ml 10 Greek style plain yogurt Small pot (120g) 7

Tomato and Avocado Egg pancake (snack or small meal) 20g protein Ingredients 2 eggs 2 tbsp milk 1 tbsp butter Handful of spinach 1 small tomato ½ avocado Method 1. Beat two eggs with two tablespoon milk 2. Heat one tablespoon butter in a medium, non-stick pan 3. Add the eggs and swirl round the base of the pan, as though you are making a pancake, and cook until set. There is no need to turn it.

4. Finely chop a small tomato, half an avocado and some fresh spinach.

Carefully move the ‘pancake’ onto a plate, place the chopped tomato, avocado and spinach on top, and then roll it up. It can be eaten warm or cold – you can also keep it for a few days in the fridge.

Protein

20g

Total Carbohydrate Sugars

Total Fat

Saturated Fat Fibre

0.5g 21g

7.6g

11g 9g

References 1. The British Food Foundation

2. Areta, J. L., Burke, L. M., Ross, M. L., Camera, D. M., West, D. W., Broad, E. M., ... & Hawley, J. A. (2013). Timing and distribution of protein ingestion during prolonged recovery from resistance exercise alters myofibrillar protein synthesis. The Journal of physiology, 591(9), 2319-2331.

3. Campbell, B., Kreider, R. B., Ziegenfuss, T., La Bounty, P., Roberts, M., Burke, D., ... & Antonio, J. (2007). International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: protein and exercise. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 4(1), 8.

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FIREFIGHTING FIT

Fact check: Cervical cancer Nursing Services Lead, Kath Savage, on the worrying decline in the number of women attending smear tests and why doing so is so important.

after the menopause. Vaginal bleeding does not mean you have cervical cancer, but you should get this checked out with your GP.

The latest figures from NHS Digital tell us that the number of smear tests being carried out has reached a 20-year low in England, and a 10-year low in Scotland and Wales, but there appears to be no one reason why attendance for screening is falling. A recent Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, however, will hopefully have played a key role in increasing awareness of cervical cancer and screening.

So the facts: • Every year in the UK, around 3,000 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer.

• It is the most common cancer in women aged 35 and under.

• Two women will lose their lives to the disease every day.

• Nine women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every day.

• 75% of cervical cancer can be prevented by cervical screening (smear tests).

• It is not thought to be hereditary. In 99.7% cases of cervical cancer are caused by persistent infections with a virus called high risk human papillomavirus (HPV).

So what is cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer forms in the cells that line the cervix. The cervix is the lower, narrow part of the womb. In its early stages cervical cancer may not present with any symptoms.

If you do have symptoms the most common is abnormal vaginal bleeding during or after sex, between your periods or

Can it be prevented?

Cervical cancer can be prevented through regular smear tests (now referred to as cervical screening). The NHS Cervical Screening Programme invites all women aged 25 to 64 to attend for screening. Women aged 25 to 49 are invited every three years, and women aged 50 to 64 are invited every five years. Cervical screening also applies to other people within this age range who have a cervix, such as trans men. Screening allows for the detection of any early changes to the cells that line the cervix.

During screening a small sample of cells is taken, these are checked under a microscope for abnormalities. The sample is first checked for human papilloma virus (HPV), the virus that can cause abnormal cells. HPV is a common virus and in most cases our body can build up immunity to it. These changes are treatable, but if undetected and left untreated can cause cervical cancer. An abnormal cervical screening test does not mean you definitely have cancer.

What are the symptoms of Cervical Cancer?

• Lower back pain • Pain during sex

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• Bleeding, during or after sex or between periods • Post-menopausal bleeding • Unusual/unpleasant vaginal discharge If you have any of these symptoms I would encourage you to see your GP immediately.

There are many other conditions that could cause these symptoms, but early detection and treatment through screening can prevent up to 75% of cancers developing.

How can you reduce your risk?

• By attending cervical cancer screening when invited • Knowing the symptoms of cervical cancer and seeking medical advice • Taking up the free HPV vaccine if aged 12-17 (or 1117 in Scotland) • Know how to access support and information As a Charity we can support you if you are coming to terms with a cancer diagnosis, living with cancer or recoveringfrom surgery.

Wherever you are in regards to your diagnosis or treatment, call us on 0800 389 8820 and we’ll talk you through the support options available to you.

Where you can go for more information? www.nhs.uk www.cancerresearchuk.org/ about-cancer/cervical-cancer www.jostrust.org.uk

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Retire, renew, refresh, review and rewind

FLASH BACK

Photo courtesy of the Grimsby Telegraph

A photographic flashback to a moment in time, supplied by the Shout+ community. This month, Steve Critten shares a fantastic, gravity-defying image from 1992. Here he explains why it will always have a special place on his mantelpiece.

This photo was sent to us by Steve Critten, and was taken in 1992 at Immingham Fire Station in Hull, which used to be on Pelham Road. Steve explains why it’s so important to him: “The photo was taken by the Grimsby Telegraph after we got back from competing in the World Firefighters Games in Las Vegas,” says Steve. “I’m on the right, but on the left is my dear friend Andy Brown, who sadly

passed away on 22 January this year.

“You’ll see we had just moved to the new fire kit, but our spares at this point were still the old style tunic, and you can see the guy on the far right whose new kit was in for dry cleaning at the time!

“Andy and I had both been in the job for seven years by this time, and competed in many national and international events. Andy’s childhood sports

were football and judo (not at the same time!) and he was also a natural, single-figure golfer.

We competed in athletics and cross-country events, as well as the occasional triathlon.

“Andy later went on to concept rowing, where he also represented the fire service. His death is a very sad loss indeed to many people, and it would be a great honour to have this photo in Shout! magazine.”

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Send Us Your Snaps We’ve all got special photos from times gone by, perhaps of past colleagues, events, incidents, awards, occasions or celebrations, and if you’d like to share yours with the Shout+ community you can do so by emailing it to shout@ firefighterscharity.org.uk.

Be sure to include a brief description, outlining why the photo means so much to you, and we’ll try our best to publish as many as we can in the next issue.

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LIVING WELL GROUPS: CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS We’re delighted to announce that we’re planning to run more Living Well Groups across the country over the coming months. However, in order to do so we need more volunteers to help run them, which is where you might be able to help.

Our Living Well Groups take place in communities across the UK and see retired fire and rescue service personnel coming together to learn how to enhance their health and wellbeing, as well as to make new friends and share experiences. Run by volunteers, they’ve proved hugely popular since we introduced them last year, with groups arranging a diverse mix of different guest speakers and learning how to improve their physical fitness, as well as their diets and a whole host of other activities.

“Our volunteers are vital to the Charity, helping us get out into communities and bring benefits to more beneficiaries,” says Communities Development Lead, Clare Hannaford. “While there will always be a place for the amazing support we offer at our centres, this is no less important a role to play in promoting people’s wellbeing.

Helping people to keep in touch with the fire community after retiring is so important to help combat loneliness and social isolation.”

Living Well Group Volunteers receive full training before they begin, support on how to keep things running smoothly and advice around safeguarding and boundaries. Then all they need to do is commit to one day a month to run the regular sessions.

“Our Living Well Volunteers are the glue that keeps the retired fire and rescue community together,” says Clare. “They play the role of host, greeting people, making them feel included, planning content where necessary and, most importantly, making the cups of tea! As well as helping people benefit from the

“Our Living Well Volunteers are the glue that keeps the retired fire and rescue community together,” Charity’s support, there are a lot of benefits for the volunteers themselves; studies prove that people who volunteer generally feel happier and healthier, knowing they are giving something back.”

Geographical areas currently in need of volunteers include Lancashire, London, Devon, Somerset, Warwickshire, Kent and Bedfordshire, but if anyone thinks there is an appetite for setting up a group in their local area, Clare is open to suggestions.

“The most important qualities for a Living Well Volunteer are a genuine interest in people and an understanding of the

fire and sescue service,” says Clare. “We have found that the groups work particularly well when volunteers work in pairs as they can bounce ideas off each other while helping to create that informal ‘mess room’ atmosphere. So if you’ve been supported by the Charity and want to say thank you, or are passionate about making people feel like they still belong somewhere, please consider volunteering.”

If you’re interested in becoming a Living Well Group volunteer or would like more information, contact Clare at CHannaford@ firefighterscharity.org.uk or give her a ring on 01626 853639.

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KEN’S GROUP DYNAMICS Shout+ catches up with former Chair of The Fire Fighters Charity, Ken Seager, to find out why he’s been central to the formation of our new Living Well Groups.

For nearly fifty years, The Fire Fighters Charity has had an ally in Ken Seager.

On his first day of firefighter training in August 1973, Ken was asked to become the rep for the then-Benevolent Fund for the duration of the 12-week course at the training school in Reigate. Upon returning to his station, he mentioned this to his sub officer and was put forward as Watch Rep, and, as he says, “I’ve never stepped off the merry-go-round since!”

Throughout his career and the time he spent as Brigade Secretary, Ken saw first-hand the support the Charity offers to those in need. He paid for a cellar of coal for an old widow who was struggling

during a particularly cold winter, and organised for a financial contribution to fund a replacement motorbike to keep a retained firefighter from having to leave the brigade.

“I became enthralled,” he says “I thought, this is the charity at the coal face, helping people in their hour of need, and I am the person at the heart of it all on my patch; it was invigorating.”

Ken became a member of the Charity’s Board of Trustees, moving his way from Deputy Chair to Chair of the Board, a role he retired from in 2016.

“It was the right thing for me and for the Charity, but I’ve missed it,” he says. “I wanted more to be involved with, as

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my role as a Company Member only really comes to life once a year. When [Communities Development Lead] Clare Hannaford approached me about helping to set up the Living Well Groups, I said ‘yes’ instantly.”

During his time as Charity Chair, engagement after retirement was a particularly pertinent discussion for Ken. “People drift away from that day-to-day contact, and as the likelihood of someone needing our services increases, the likelihood of them thinking to reach out to us decreases,” he says. “My parents were typical of their generation of beneficiaries; my dad was a firefighter, and towards the end of his life, he

SHOUT+ could have really benefited from the Charity. He didn’t have the internet, his friends in the brigade had passed away and new ones didn’t know him. He had become anonymous to the Charity, and the Charity had become anonymous to him. I think this is fairly typical of a lot of people in the retired community.”

Intended to find a way for retired fire and service to reconnect with former colleagues and meet new faces, the new groups’ aim is to tackle social isolation and loneliness among our older generation of beneficiaries.

“I’ve always been worried that there are people out there in need who don’t know about the Charity or the amazing services on offer,” he says. “It’s like having the best fire service in the world, but having no 999 system; what’s the point in having the best fire engines if no-one thinks to call them when they’re in trouble? We couldn’t have the fire and rescue service without means of communication between those who need help and those who deliver it, and the same is true of The Fire Fighters Charity. The Living Well Groups are part of that answer, establishing our own 999 system for those in need, and reconnecting people who would otherwise be disconnected.”

Along with his former colleague, Ken Ashby, Ken runs the

Stowmarket group, something he says gives him as much pleasure and fulfilment as it does for the people who attend.

“I love it,” he says. “It might sound like a trite thing to say, but I joined the fire service because I wanted to help people, and this gives me the opportunity to help my own people. And there’s nothing better than being involved with something right from the start, helping to shape it.”

“It’s like having the best fire service in the world, but having no 999 system; what’s the point in having the best fire engines if no-one thinks to call them when they’re in trouble?”

While his group is still in its early days, Ken is hopeful for the future, with word of mouth already prompting more people to come to the second session than the first. A beneficiary who had received help during a stay at Harcombe House, our residential centre in Devon, spoke to the group about his experiences, providing first-hand evidence of the lifechanging support the Charity can provide.

Find a Living Well Group near you If you’re interested in finding out more about Living Well Groups near you, visit www. firefighterscharity.org.uk/ livingwell for more details.

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“For people who retired longer than four or five years ago, they had no idea how far the Charity has come in terms of physical and psychological support,” he says. “This is probably the last generation who doesn’t use the internet, so we have to bring these things to life for them in different ways.”

Ken also says having Ken Ashby help him run it makes the whole process even more enjoyable: “If you’re looking to volunteer and lead a Living Well Group – which I would absolutely encourage people to do – make sure you have a good partner by your side,” he says. “Like me, Ken has been involved with the Charity his whole career, although he’s not yet retired and is fitting this work around his full-time job at Newmarket Fire Station. I called him out of the blue to see if he’d be up for doing it with me, and he stepped up to the plate with expected enthusiasm, showing 110% support right from the outset.”

The Living Well Groups will only flourish with people like Ken taking the time to make them work, and he is urging others to follow him: “The small amount of work it takes to make these groups a success is far outweighed by the benefits, so don’t hesitate, get in touch today, and help those people who have spent their whole careers helping others.”

COMPETITION

Win a New Balance Prize Bundle New Balance is giving Shout! readers the opportunity to win a prize bundle of its latest products including a jacket, t-shirt, trainers, a water bottle and shorts/leggings.

New Balance is a long time supporter of the Charity, having provided us with equipment and prizes for past sporting events, runs and auctions.

To win this great prize, simply send your answer to the question below, 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.

Question: How much money did The Telegraph Christmas Appeal 2018 raise for The Fire Fighters Charity?

A) £148,234.44 B) £136,198.34 C) £121,448.71

The winner will be picked at random from all correct entries received on or before 30 September 2019 and will be notified via email or telephone.

The products in the bundle may vary dependant on stock availability at time of the draw.

Your information: The information you provide will be recorded and processed by the Charity to fulfil your request and contact you if you win. Please call us 01256 366 566 if you do not want us to record and process the data you provide. You can view our full privacy policy at www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/privacy

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Keep h c u o t in Keep up to date with all our latest news and events in a way that best suits you.

Prefer email, post or phone? Let us know by visiting the website link below.

ep-in-touch www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/ke The Fire Fighters Charity

@firefighters999

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Spirit of Fire Nominations Now Open

Sumit your nominations at www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/spirit