Latest news with #FireFightersCharity
Glasgow Times
03-08-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow firefighters to cycle 400 miles to honour fallen colleagues
The challenge will see crew commander Gavin Callander and firefighter Grant Baillie pedal from the SFRS national HQ in Cambuslang to Bicester Community Fire Station in Oxfordshire in just two days. Their journey is in honour of firefighters Jennie Logan and Martyn Sadler, who lost their lives in the line of duty in June. Both were based at Bicester Community Fire Station. Read more: Some fire truck response times in North Glasgow could increase - here's why Gavin, 40, from Knightswood Community Fire Station, and Grant, 46, from Polmadie Community Fire Station, will be joined by two additional team members from English fire services, who will be running and cycling from their respective home stations. Gavin said: 'I didn't know Martyn personally, but we were both at Royal Berkshire at the same time. 'Royal Berkshire is a small brigade and everyone knows everyone. 'I have a lot of good friends there and they've been hit really hard by this. 'That is obviously an extra incentive and it's why I'm determined that, even if it takes me all night, this will get done. 'Martyn and Jennie made the ultimate sacrifice while working to protect others, and that's what I'll be telling myself if things get tough while cycling. 'It'll be tough, but in comparison, I'm only cycling for two days. 'I'll suck it up and make sure that it gets done.' Gavin and Grant will leave SFRS HQ on August 5 and intend to meet up with their English counterparts on August 7, in Bicester. There, they plan to present flags from their respective services and messages of support to representatives from Oxford Fire and Rescue Service. A flag signed on behalf of all SFRS staff by chief officer Stuart Stevens will be among those presented. Read more: Glasgow to add 720 new on-street bike storage spaces amid 'strong demand' Stuart said: 'We were all shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Jennie and Martyn and our thoughts very much remain with their families, friends and colleagues. 'The determination and selflessness shown by Grant, Gavin and their teammates in preparing for and taking on this challenge is inspiring. 'I wish them every success as they get ready to begin their journey. 'We are all right behind them.' All funds raised from this charity challenge will go to the Fire Fighters Charity. More information about the challenge, including how to donate, can be found online here: Lyndsay Campbell, regional fundraiser for the Fire Fighters Charity, said: 'It's so inspiring to see our firefighting family come together to take on this impressive fundraising challenge in memory of Jennie and Martyn. 'The money raised will provide care and support to those in need in our firefighting family.'
BBC News
21-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Manx firefighter takes on Parish Walk in full kit challenge
A Douglas firefighter is attempting an epic walking challenge on the Isle of Man, in his full emergency Hays is taking on the 85 mile (136km) Parish Walk to raise money for the Fire Fighters Charity and the Great North Air Ambulance full uniform, breathing apparatus, and helmet, added about 15kg (33 lbs) of weight to the challenge, which gave participants 24 hours to complete the would be the 37-year-old's first attempt at the event and he said: "I've definitely gone in at the deep end with this." While many do complete the walk that visits all 17 island parishes, the majority of those taking part set a target to reach the halfway point of Hays said: "I'm looking to ideally travel between hopefully Peel and maybe Ballaugh at the furthest, which will be about 30 to 40 miles." About 1,100 walkers are expected to take to Manx roads as part of the annual challenge. 'Mental resilience' It follows a similar challenge last year, when two of his colleagues took on the walk wearing firefighting helmets. But this year they wanted to "elevate it" and Mr Hays said he "voted myself in to do it" for the two it would be a big physical challenge, he said it would also test him mentally. He said: "Mental resilience is something that's quite big in the firefighting profession, just being able to kind of dig into what reserves you might have and just carry on with what's in front of you."Hopefully this proves that to the nth degree," he added. To train Mr Hays said as well as going for walks of about 15 miles at a time wearing weight belts, he had also been walking on an inclined treadmill with sand in his cylinder for added off at the National Sports Centre at 08:00 BST, competitors will cross the finish line in the gruelling challenge on Douglas Promenade on Saturday. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
29-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Jersey firefighters fundraise after Bicester colleagues killed
Firefighters in Jersey have had a "heartwarming" response to a fundraising event after two UK colleagues were killed during a blaze in Oxfordshire earlier this month, service bosses Martyn Sadler, 38, and Jennie Logan, 30, were killed along with business owner Dave Chester in a fire in Bicester on 15 May. Crews from Green Watch attended Royal Square on Tuesday and raised more than £1,600 for the Fire Fighters Charity, which offers care and support to staff and families. Deputy Chief Fire Officer Bryn Coleman says the incident "absolutely reinforces how dangerous the occupation can be and how fragile our safety is". 'Vital work' He said: "We all go to work every morning, doing our best for our colleagues and for islanders, and this really brings home how dangerous firefighting can be as an occupation."It really reinforces the vital work of the Fire Fighters Charity if we are to to be injured in the course of duty."States of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service (SJFRS) said the charity was originally set up during World War Two to support the bereaved families of firefighters who died during the London fundraiser also provided an opportunity for islanders to talk to Jersey firefighters and take a tour of two SJFRS fire engines, it Coleman added: "We have seen tremendous support from the community here in Jersey for the work of the fire and rescue service, which is really, really heartwarming.""The number of fires we get in Jersey is equivalent to the United Kingdom."It is no safer place than anywhere else, so absolutely there's a risk of tragic events occurring, as they have done in the past, and indeed in the future."
BBC News
29-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Huge charity hike for Wellington firefighter's 30th birthday
A firefighter will mark her 30th birthday this year by walking hundreds of miles across the UK in less than three Harding says she hopes to find a place to stay each night through the fire stations she passes along the South West Coastal 29-year-old works for the Ministry of Defence but is also an on-call firefighter at the Wellington station in said she was "always up for a crazy challenge" and it was important to "give back to the path". Her 630-mile (1,014km) hike, which will raise money towards maintaining the route, starts on 30 June with a finish date pencilled in for 7 keen hiker is no stranger to endurance events, having finished a 50-mile (80km) race along the Shropshire Way and a 70-mile (113km) hike from Ulverston to Harding said she had previously walked parts of the coastal route, which runs from Somerset to Dorset, and Minehead was "an incredibly special place" to her 30th birthday this year, she said she hoped it would be a memorable way to mark the occasion."I have many fond memories from numerous family holidays, so it seemed like the perfect challenge," she Harding also hoped to receive support from fellow firefighters along the trek and the funds raised will also go towards the Fire Fighters Charity and a charity linked to the armed forces. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Guardian
17-05-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Tributes paid to three victims of Bicester blaze, including two firefighters
Tributes have been paid to the three people, including two firefighters, who were killed in a fire at a business park in Bicester. Firefighters Jennie Logan, 30, and Martyn Sadler, 38, were killed at the former RAF base in Oxfordshire. David Chester, 57, a father of two from Bicester, who worked at the site, also died. Two firefighters remain seriously injured in hospital. Dozens of floral tributes could be seen at the scene on Saturday. One message read: 'Sending all our love to those who don't think twice making that sacrifice to help others. 'Thinking of the fire service, their families, friends and the wider community and those services who came to help. Rest easy, from a local family.' Bicester rugby union football club, where Logan and Sadler were members and involved with the women's team, said it had heard the news with 'profound sadness'. In a statement posted on X, it said 'their presence at the club will be massively missed'. Sherine Wheeler, the chief executive of the Fire Fighters Charity, said it was 'a powerful reminder of the courage and sacrifices shown by firefighters every day'. Wheeler told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the charity was 'heartbroken' by the news, and sent her condolences to the families of the three people who had died. She added: 'Firefighters go to work every day knowing that there are risks but when something like this happens it brings that reality really crashing home. 'To lose two firefighters has a far-reaching impact across the whole of the fire service community.' Chester was the proprietor of a family-run fencing and groundworks company, Chester & Sons. On Friday, a spokesperson for Bicester Motion busines park said: 'Whenever you had a question, you would 'just ask Dave', not just him but his whole family as they all cared about this place just as much as we do. 'Our whole community used to say that 'Dave always had our back'. Yesterday, he was doing just that – the epitome of his selfless spirit.' The fire was reported at 6.30pm on Thursday and spread through a former aircraft hanger at the site. Its cause it not yet known. At its height, 10 crews were tackling the blaze. Police have launched an unexplained death investigation, but are not treating it as a criminal inquiry. The business park was formerly home to RAF Bicester, an airbase that formed part of bomber command. It was decommissioned in 2004, and converted into a home for more than 50 specialist businesses that focus on classic care restoration and engineering. A golden plaque has been erected underneath the Bicester Motion sign at the entrance to the site. It reads: 'Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. Bicester Motion. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those affected by the sad loss of two firefighters and the member of the public. Love from the Bicester community.' Oxford city council has lowered the city's flag over Oxford town hall in tribute to the three victims of the fire. People are being asked to lay flowers at Bicester's Garth Park. A book of condolence will open at Garth House, in the park, on Monday.
