A small on-call fire station has proven when it comes to fundraising, station and community size really don’t matter, after raising thousands for us this year alone.
Presteigne Fire Station in Mid and West Wales has organised Car Washes, a raffle, an Open Day and more fundraisers throughout 2024 to raise awareness and funds for us.
And thanks to the close-knit community, it’s received incredible support from local businesses and families.
Dougie Preece is one of the on-call firefighters based at the station and has helped organise the events.
Source: Laura Shepherd’s Lens Photography. Presteigne.
He says: “I’ve always been involved in fundraising. When my dad was Sub Officer himself, it was a written rule that you had to be involved in an event he’d be planning at least once a year!
“I’ve been in the fire service coming up to 20 years now myself and carried that on.
“We don’t go many years without doing something – in my time here alone we’ve organised Car Washes, a 24-hour spinathon, Open Days, carrying a ladder 7 miles between stations, a 100-mile bike ride – which we actually did twice – collections at local carnivals and fetes and shows, a 75 mile-relay involving 25 miles in breathing apparatus, 25 miles on a push bike and 25 miles on a rowing machine for the charity’s 75th anniversary… you name it.”
Source: Laura Shepherd’s Lens Photography. Presteigne.
Dougie, who’s a painter and decorator in his day job, says highlights this year have been two Car Washes, a raffle and an Open Day – all of which were supported by local businesses.
“Our fundraising becomes a real community effort,” he says. “I was working my day job at a lad’s place one day when my pager went off while I was there. When I got back, he was asking a million and one questions and ended up donating two tickets to see the cricket at Lord’s, for our raffle.”
The raffle raised £1,600 for us, with prizes donated from across the community.
Meanwhile, the station organised two Car Washes – one at the local primary school and one through the Young Farmers, both of which donated 60% of all funds raised to us.
Source: Laura Shepherd’s Lens Photography. Presteigne.
“Hopefully the kids will remember it and one day and want to join the fire service too,” adds Dougie.
Most recently, the team held an Open Day which raised an incredible £3,775.
“The event itself corresponded with 60 years of our fire station being here,” says Dougie. “We invited all ex-firefighters who’d previously worked here down for the evening before.
“Beforehand, we’d written to all the local businesses asking for sponsorship too, many of which kindly offered it. We also asked for donations of raffle prizes. One was the chance to be a passenger in a rally car, another was a flight donated at the local airfield, plus others including meals for two, Crown Paint donating £200 worth of paint, a £100 prize donated from a local electrician, and more. It was incredible.
Source: Laura Shepherd’s Lens Photography. Presteigne.
“For the first hour, we did a sensory hour for autistic children. It was just some time where they could be on their own, with space to look at the fire engine, without feeling overwhelming.
“We then did a bouncy castle on the day – the guy who hires it out is actually a firefighter at another station and donated the hire for the day. We also had a drone, our fire engine to look round, a ‘soak the firefighter’ competition, a ‘guess the height of the crew’, darts, teas and cakes and a barbecue.
“A local lady volunteered to run a tombola for us on the day too, which raised £300. Her partner’s dad was the first Sub-Officer at our station, so it was close to her heart.
Source: Laura Shepherd’s Lens Photography. Presteigne.
“All the wives, partners and children helped out. My daughter and her friend were there helping on the barbecue.
“It means a lot to all of us to support the Fire Fighters Charity. We’ve had various crew members who’ve had support, so we know the difference these funds make.”
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