For former Kent firefighter Ross Allen, running the 2023 London Marathon has special significance – it’s not only a huge personal challenge, but it’s also his way of thanking us for the support some of his close friends have received in recent years.
Ross’ best friend Paul – who was a firefighter with Kent FRS – was left needing 24-hour care after being assaulted on the evening of 28 September, 2019. Paul’s long-term partner Helen, their three children and Paul’s parents have received our support since, as they’ve come to terms with a new normal.
Having seen that support first-hand, Ross now wants to raise as much as he can for us, to give back for the help they’ve received and to honour a promise he made Paul in hospital – to always look out for Helen and the children.
“I’ve always known Paul through the fire service,” says Ross. “I’d been in three or four years at the time and two giggling buffoons turned up, one of which was Paul the other was one of our other friends, and the friendship grew from there.
“I very quickly worked out he was a complete clown, a loveable, caring kind clown, half the stuff he did was to make us laugh.
“He was the life and soul of the party the whole time. We became really close friends – he’s godfather to my youngest, and my kids have always called him Uncle Paul and always will do, and I’m Uncle Ross to his.”
Paul was tragically left in a disassociate state of consciousness following the assault, so has required constant care since then.
“When it all happened, I made a promise to him in hospital that I’d do my utmost to look after Helen and the kids. I’ve said to Helen, ‘I’m really sorry to tell you Hels but you’ve inherited a surrogate husband I’m afraid!’” says Ross, who retired from the fire service around six years ago and now runs a construction company.
“It’s been horrendous to be honest, but the lads on station have been really good – they’re all raising money for the Charity with Hels and the kids in mind. We know it’s going directly towards them and the support they’ve had.”
Having known about the support we offer, all thanks to your kind-hearted donations, Helen reached out to us shortly after Paul was hospitalised and has since received psychological support, as well as financial support and advice from our Welfare team.
Ross says: “Paul was in hospital for a really long time and the Charity were able to support the whole family, from Helen to his mum and dad, with the costs of going in to see him and things. It helped so much.
Paul with his partner Helen and two of his children before the assault
“It’s so amazing – it was once such a small thing in the back of my mind, but now I have truly seen what it’s done for the family and what it continues to do. There’s so many people that knew Paul that are doing everything they can now to raise money and give back.
“Paul is still very much loved around the area… everyone was devastated when it happened. There’s been lots of tears and questions round the station, from the people that didn’t think it would affect them to those who knew it would – it’s affected everyone.
“They now know what’s available to them and their families from the Charity too. It’s making sure they know they have somewhere to turn. I always knew it was there in the background, and we did a lot of fundraisers, but that was it for me at the time. I didn’t actually realise the amount of support that the Charity can give until this happened.”
Ross will now take on the marathon for the second time and says while it’s proving a lot more difficult to train this time, he’s determined to succeed for Helen and her children.
“I did the marathon first in 2018, for my sins, but I’m older now and I’m feeling it! It’s much harder this time, the knees in particular are struggling. But as long as I get round, that’s all that matters,” he adds.
You can read Helen’s interview with us here.
To donate to Ross, fundraising efforts, click here.