Husband and wife team, Keith and Mandy Boyd have a shared interest in the fire and rescue service. Through informal market research, they identified that UK firefighters seeking Service related leisurewear and accessories were regularly ordering from the United States. Whilst this works, such products are generally designed specifically for American emergency service colleagues and often attract high postage costs.
The couple has a three-generation connection to the fire service which began with Mandy’s father, who was a retained firefighter in St Ives, Cornwall for 18 years. Husband Keith has now been an on-call firefighter for 20 years and eldest son Andrew joined the on-call crew 8 years ago. Keith and Andrew also have full-time associated roles within Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service. This longstanding connection with the fire service has led Keith, Mandy and their family to feel very proud of our blue light services and has given them the passion to provide emergency service products designed specifically for the UK.
The company website www.triple9hq.com currently offers t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, paracord bracelets and keyrings aimed at those interested in the fire and rescue service, in the near future this will expand to include similar items relating to police and emergency medical services
Following negotiations with Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service and UK based Bristol Uniforms, Keith and Mandy are very excited to announce that they will be producing a range of exclusive products made from recycled firefighting kit including wash bags, wallets, purses, tote bags and many other items that will be handmade by them in Cornwall.
Keith said: “Mandy has been sewing for a number of years and has always loved recycling/upcycling redundant clothes into other useful items. Recycling fire kit seemed a great opportunity.”
The team have recently secured the support of Bristol Uniforms. Mandy said “We are grateful to Roger Startin, Joint Managing Director at Bristol Uniforms who has been wholly supportive of our venture.
Currently, when used equipment is returned, the company keeps some as contingency stock as well as donating items to oversees Fire Services who are in need. Unsurprisingly given its use, some items have seen the end of their working life. It is this kit that will be given to Triple 9 to upcycle, enabling Bristol Uniforms not only to reduce items going to landfill but also to support The Fire Fighters Charity who will receive a percentage of the sales revenue from Triple 9.
Roger Startin, Joint Managing Director at Bristol Uniforms explains how the company was only too pleased to help: “When Mandy approached us we jumped at the chance to help. We’d much rather that our old kit was upcycled than thrown away, and are delighted that in the process we are helping raise vital funds for The Fire Fighters Charity. The items Mandy and Keith are making are great and we wish them the best of luck with their new venture.”
Mandy and daughter Chloe are not resting on their laurels. They are researching other products to offer, including a wide variety of special occasion and retirement gift ideas and exclusively made jewellery. Mandy stated: “We would very much welcome ideas and feedback via the enquiry form on our website at www.triple9hq.com about the products we currently offer and what people would like us to offer in the future.
We can also be contacted via email at hello@triple9hq.com or;
Facebook at www.facebook.com/triple9hq
