Find out how Fire Fighters Charity has supported service users across the UK and how you can share your story with the fire community. Click categories or regions below to filter the list of stories.
After losing their son Kieran in 2024, firefighter Paul and his wife Rhonda found space to begin healing during a short stay at Harcombe House. Now, they’re giving back through fundraising for us. Retired Watch Manager, Martin Aldred, shares how we’ve supported both his physical and mental health – and why taking the time to look after yourself, early, can pay dividends in the long run. Thomas Warner, who works as Service Improvement Manager with Bedfordshire FRS, shares his experience of attending our Reset Programme and how he’s adapted his lifestyle since. Gill Crow’s dad was an on-call firefighter and she went on to work in Control herself for 24 years, so always knew about our charity. However, she says she never expected the support on offer to both of them in retirement. Gary Chamberlain, a retired Crew Manager from Leicestershire FRS, shared with us his passion for ensuring all retired members of our fire services community stay connected.
Paul & Rhonda: “You supported us after our son’s sudden death – now we just want to give something back”
Martin: “I don’t think I’d be where I am today without the charity’s help”
Thomas: “I’d not seen the signs I was depressed… but I’d have recognised them in a colleague”
Gill: “I knew about the charity but never thought it applied to me – I couldn’t believe the support”
Gary: “When you retire, you feel like you lose your tribe – but you don’t need to lose that connection”
