Being part of the UK’s fire and rescue service community means being part of a family and, for many, that connection comes through volunteering and fundraising for us.
Lynn Bow truly embodies the spirit of both….she’s shown incredible dedication for more than four decades to our charity and raised thousands for us alongside her late husband, Graham.
Graham was a firefighter with West Midlands FRS for over 20 years, before he medically retired, and throughout much of that time he helped run the West Midlands Charity Shop with Lynn and colleague Steve Corbett. He sadly passed away in 2013 and, having built up a strong connection to the fire service through her husband, Lynn has continued to help run it ever since.
The shop has grown through the years, buying fire-related stock including t-shirts, keyrings, merchandise and much more through trade shows, before selling it through a base at Sutton Coldfield Fire Station and on stands at Open Days across the West Midlands – now as far as Staffordshire.
Any profit they make through sales is then donated to us.
“Graham started it all off at an Open Day with a box of fire- related merchandise he’d bought, and it just grew and grew from there” says Lynn. “Both of our parents started coming to help and as the kids got older, they did too. Now all of my granddaughters have helped over the years and still are. It’s for the whole family.
“The spirit of the fire service at these events is incredible – my fire service family, I call it, they’ve been with me through everything. It’s a true lifetme connection”.
Lynn helps to run the shop with fellow volunteer Steve Corbett, as well as her sons and grandchildren, with support from West Midlands FRS’ transport division.
“I could not do it without my fabulous team,” she adds.
“When Graham’s arthritis got worse, I’d do the heavy lifting and he’d sit in his wheelchair and chat to everyone – they all knew him and he absolutely loved it. It broke Graham’s heart when he had to leave his role as Station Officer, but having the shop and volunteering meant he always had that connection to it there. It meant so much to both of us.
“Alongside the merchandise, I also sell jewellery, so there’s something for everyone. I try to keep the prices as low as possible, of course always ensuring we can make a profit for the charity, so every family can buy something to take home from an event and remember their day there. That’s really important to me”.
Lynn is a key part of West Midlands FRS and will be recognised by many at Open Days and on stations. She says supporting us over the years has meant the world, particularly having seen how we helped Graham.
“Graham had support at Jubilee house with his arthritis twice,” says Lynn. “He was amazed at the work they did there. We visited Harcombe on more than one occasion, too. It meant a lot to see where the funds we raise go to.”
Lynn also helped set up and run the Bows & Belles Ball in Graham’s memory, an annual celebration to raise funds for us. Between 2015 and 2019, this incredible event – run by a committed team of volunteers, raised over £20,000 for us.
In recognition of their incredible work over the years, Graham was awarded the MBE in 2007.
Lynn also accepted a Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of Graham in 2014 and says: ”I’ll never forget it, there was a standing ovation as my sons and I left the stage.”
Lynn was also awarded our Supporter of the Year – Dependant award at our 2018 Spirit of Fire Awards.
“My family and I will now carry on as long as possible, in his memory,” says Lynn.
“Volunteering is so rewarding….it keeps me very active and it’s my connection to the fire family. I’d encourage anyone else to volunteer in some way – it’s been a huge part of my life and created some magical memories”
If you’re interesting in volunteering for us, or in fundraising like Lynn, click either of the buttons below: