Find out how The Fire Fighters Charity has supported beneficiaries 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.
For former RAF firefighter Mark Latham, the combination of a near-fatal accident and traumatic incident while deployed in Afghanistan left him struggling to cope. He waited to ask for support because he felt like he didn't deserve help, something he says he regrets. But since visiting Harcombe House, he's happier and healthier than he has been in years. Clare Banks is walking a thousand miles in a year to raise funds for The Fire Fighters Charity, as a way of saying thank you for the kindness shown to her husband, Cliff, after his stroke. Through the ups and downs, they are by each other's side, every single step of the way. Hereford and Worcester's West District Commander Richie Jordan suffered in silence with lower back pain and sciatica for years before approaching the Charity. He shares what a difference his visit made to his overall wellbeing. After her firefighter husband passed away suddenly in April, panic attacks were ruining Suzanne Constable's life. She agreed to contact the Charity and see what they could do for her, but she had no idea just how much she would take away from her week at Marine Court. Emma Hughes has just become our first Charity Ambassador, a new voluntary role that aims to increase awareness of The Fire Fighters Charity. And it's all in memory of her dad, Graham, a firefighter with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue, who passed away in 2003.
Mark: “I shouldn’t have waited until I was burnt out before contacting you”
Clare: “We’re taking things one step at a time, with each other by our sides”
Richie: “Any regrets? Only that I didn’t go sooner”
Suzanne: “Panic attacks were getting in the way of my grief.”
Emma: “I just thought ‘I need to be part of this’.”
