Latest news with #FireFighters
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Heart of gold' - more tributes as Bicester fire inquiry continues
Further tributes have been paid to the three victims of a fire at an Oxfordshire business park as investigations into the cause continue. Firefighters Jennie Logan, 30, and Martyn Sadler, 38, along with father-of-two Dave Chester, 57, were killed in the blaze that engulfed the Bicester Motion site on Thursday evening. An employee of Mr Chester described him as "a lovely bloke", while friends of Ms Logan said she had "a heart of gold". Lorraine Sandford, a friend via the Staffordshire bull terrier community, said Ms Logan's dog Mouse "was her pride and joy". Danny Cooper, who lives near Birmingham, said he befriended Ms Logan about six years ago when they met at a dog show. "She was a very good handler, she used to do dog walking for other people and volunteered at a rescue," he said. "Whatever she wanted to do, she put her heart and soul in it." Mr Cooper, who said Ms Logan appeared at Crufts with Mouse, revealed several dog shows across the country paid tribute to her over the weekend. "Everyone stopped for a few minutes to show respect to Jen... [She] had a heart of gold. She was a very loved girl." Ms Sandford said a minute's silence was also held at a show in Scotland. "Every breed club, including ourselves, will be doing the same for Jen at each of our shows," she said. Josh Bird, who used to work for Mr Chester, described him as "a lovely bloke" and "down to earth". "[He was] always there to help you, [I] can't believe it," he said. "It was just pretty crazy that it happened so fast and so soon and in such a small town." Bicester Rugby Football Union Club has reached its target of £10,000 for the Fire Fighters charity which offers specialist lifelong health and wellbeing support for the UK fire and rescue community. Mr Sadler had been involved with the club for more than 20 years, while Ms Logan joined Bicester Vixens in November 2021. Paul Jaggers, the club's chair, said he was "absolutely astounded" and "overwhelmed and amazed by the generosity of everyone". He said: "When we set the fund up we were aiming for £500 to £1,000. The traction that it's gained in the last 48 hours has been incredible." He added: "We've had donations coming in from all over the country, even all over the world – we've had a US dollar donation." He described the fundraiser as an "initial start". "The intention was always to run some events later in the year to remember Jennie and Martyn, and raise money alongside those, so hopefully this is just the beginning," he added. Bicester West councillor Dan Hallett said: "It is such a tragic accident and my heart goes out to everybody. "I'm so glad that the whole town has come out in sympathy and support for the families and the community." Teresa Wright's daughter, who was a firefighter at Oxford before she moved to Hampshire, she said she felt the need to pay her respects as "it's the only thing we can do". "We brought flowers and signed the book, it's all we can do to show our support," she added. Assistant Chief Constable Tim Metcalfe, from Thames Valley Police, has warned officers faced "a complex investigation which may take some time". You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Bicester fire victim was 'the most amazing man' Town mourns loss of 'best of Bicester' after fire Services and silence for killed firefighters and father Tributes to firefighters and father killed in blaze Firefighters killed in business park blaze named Firefighters and member of public die in blaze at business park
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Oxford 10k event set to raise £300k for Muscular Dystrophy UK
Sold-out charity races completed by about 6,600 people on Sunday are on course to raise £300, Bidwells Oxford 10k and junior 3k races were organised by Muscular Dystrophy UK, which has organised the event since was inspired by local boy Daniel Cleaver, who had muscular dystrophy and died aged 12 in 1990, and Sunday's edition was attended by local schools and other fundraising included about 180 pupils from Oxford's Summer Fields School who completed the 3k (1.8 miles) and Red Watch from the city's Rewley Road fire station who completed the 10k (6.2 miles) in full kit. The firefighters, who also carried a 50kg casualty training mannequin, raised over £1,100 for Muscular Dystrophy UK and the Fire Fighters 10k race was started by Tristan Boedts, 28, who has limb girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) and completed it last year. He completed Sunday's course in about two and a half hours, accompanied by family and friends. "This is a true community event, and we're delighted that it continues to grow, selling out in advance for a second year running," Jessie Keighley, Muscular Dystrophy UK's events manager, said."The money raised will make a huge difference, helping us to continue funding ground-breaking research and supporting those living with muscle wasting and weakening conditions." You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
