A team of 133 women from across 28 UK fire and rescue services are coming together to climb Snowdon next week, with all of them raising vital funds for The Fire Fighters Charity.
While some have received the Charity’s support themselves, others have colleagues, friends and family who have been helped in the past. Meanwhile, many will be taking part to raise awareness of the incredible work women do in the UK’s fire services community every day.
The Fire Fighters Charity supports the health and wellbeing of serving and retired fire and rescue service personnel, their dependants and other eligible members of the UK fire services community, throughout their lives, helping them to live happier and healthier.
One of those leading the challenge – set to take place on 26 April – is Daisy Byron, an Area Fire Safety Manager with Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. Daisy received the Charity’s support at Marine Court, its rehabilitation centre in West Sussex, in 2015 after complications that arose from having her two daughters led to her being unable to continue operational duties.
She received both physical and mental health support at the time and says: “You go there thinking the world is against you, then you meet other people all with their own issues and they make you think differently. The whole experience just helped me so much.”
Joining her will be Diane Johnson, who works in Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Control team. She’s taking part in memory of her former Chief Fire Officer, Kieran Amos – and as a thank you for the mental wellbeing support she’s received from The Fire Fighters Charity.
She says: “I worked for West Sussex Fire & Rescue before transferring to Warwickshire, and I had the pleasure of working alongside Kieran Amos for many years. His tragic passing two years ago gave me a sudden realisation that I needed to do more things with my life: at 50, I needed to push myself more, and get out of my comfort zone.
“I am climbing Snowdon in memory of Kieran Amos, and in aid of The Fire Fighters Charity, who have helped me twice over the last few years, most recently to support my mental health and wellbeing. It’s not only frontline firefighters that can be affected in the profession we are in. Control Room teams play a vital role dealing with traumatic and distressing situations on a daily basis.”
Charlotte Smith, Community Fundraiser at The Fire Fighters Charity, says: “This is an incredible example of fire and rescue service representatives from right across the UK coming together for a common cause, and we’re so grateful to all the women taking part in this climb for choosing us to support.
“Funds raised from events like this go such a long way in helping us continue to support thousands of fire service personnel and their families every year with their physical and mental wellbeing. On behalf of everyone at The Fire Fighters Charity, a huge thank you to everyone involved – and best of luck for next week!”
The team have planned the challenge in partnership with Women In The Fire Service. To support the team’s fundraising, visit www.justgiving.com/page/wfs-snowdon2023. With The Fire Fighters Charity relying almost entirely on donations to fund its vital work, none of the support it offers would be possible without the generosity of its supporters. You can support others just like them now by donating at www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/donate.
