www.firefighterscharity.org.uk Spring 2014 Issue 10 Barnett’s Barbers A Cut above OUR STORIES THAT MATTER TO YOU! All the news from your Charity Registered Office: The Fire Fighters Charity, Level 6, Belvedere, Royal Patron Basing View, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 4HG. Her Majesty The Queen Charity registered in England & Wales (1093387) and Scotland (SC040096) SOF A4 Ad_Layout 1 29/01/2014 17:54 Page 2 Guest introduction Dear friends What’s inside As the Charity’s Volunteer Support Manager 4-5 In the news I have the great privilege of supporting our check out our Chief’s viewpoint committed volunteers across the UK. 6-7 Spirit of Fire check out this year’s finalists 8-9 Events calendar Recently we had the honour of what’s going on near you? hosting Irwin Jewell, one of our life patrons and longest serving 10-11 Our services Charity volunteers, at our head latest news from around our centres office. Turn to page 20 to read all about his involvement with the 12-13 Your stories Charity over the years. The same meet our beneficiaries and supporters day we also welcomed Sarah Lewis 14 Your support our recently appointed Service getting to know you better Co-ordinator for Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service. From 65 15 Our online buzz years of service to those that have your social media reviews very recently taken on a volunteer 16-17 Corporate corner role, our dedicated volunteers are an For the inside scoop on our Shoosmiths in the spotlight essential part of The Fire Fighters inspirational shortlist turn to page 6. Charity helping us to continue to 18-19 Regional round-up With everything our volunteers do support those in need within the Fire who’s raised money for us & how? and Rescue Service community. to fundraise, raise awareness and support our service delivery we are 20-21 From the archive Over the coming months I will be working hard on how we can provide your trip down memory lane Celebrate the unsung heroes travelling around the country, from the best possible help to you! From 22 Kids’ corner Harcombe House in Devon to our new Charity intranet to our will you solve our Spring safety puzzle? Perth in Scotland attending Charity Supporter Care Team (fundraising@ of the UK Fire and Rescue Service regional meetings and catching up firefighterscharity.org.uk) we are 23 Take a break with our key volunteers across the striving to ensure you have all the check out our book reviews UK. These meetings not only provide The Spirit of Fire Awards is one of the most prestigious events in the UK fire information and resources you the chance to give an update on all need. As part of this process of and rescue calendar recognising bravery and dedication within the industry things Charity but are also a great improvement we really welcome any opportunity to hear all the fantastic thoughts you might have on how we A word from work our volunteers do to support can enhance your experience as a your editorial team... Venue: Park Plaza Westminster, London Organised by us. From Lincolnshire’s bumper volunteer and support you better. Date: Friday 16th May 2014 (7pm onwards) Christmas collections, to the 20th We are always keen to hear your stories for the inclusion anniversary of West Yorkshire’s My door is always Flaming Charity event to Bedford open just drop me a line on in Shout Magazine from fundraising To book your place and show your support visit: Fire Station’s long awaited and hard [email protected] successes, case studies, book fought for victory in our January or 01256 368 841 reviews or archive material so recycling competition, the examples please get in touch with Rachel Headline Sponsor www.spiritoffireawards.co.uk of exceptional support just keep For now though thank you so much Goddard, Marketing Officer at coming. Need any more convincing? for everything you do and I hope you [email protected]. enjoy this copy of Shout! Alternatively please contact Rachelle Cornel at I point to the record breaking number For comments, queries or feedback [email protected] or Tel. 0207 250 7043 of nominations received for this on the magazine please contact year’s Spirit of Fire Awards. Take care, Judith [email protected] Media partners Disclaimer | The Fire Fighters Charity believe that the information given in this magazine is correct at the time of going to print, however we cannot accept responsibility for any errors or ommisions. The opinions expressed in the magazine are those of the writers and not always that of the Charity. Where external links are provided to other websites or social media accounts, we do SPRING 2014 | 3 so for information purposes alone and we are not responsible or liable. We do not endorse the material on them and if you choose to follow links to other websites, you do so at your own risk. SHOUT! Chief’s viewpoint, In the news Chief s viewpoint During their time at The Fire Fighters I am pleased to Charity, the Peer Review team were bring you news of an well looked after and everyone the team met were fully engaged with the exciting development process and came across as being Welcome open and honest. on board! here at The Fire The Charity’s first textile bank was placed at Fighters Charity. The Peer Review was not an Our recycling scheme Kettering Fire Station thanks to the support of inspection, rather it was an invitation to Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service – a team of people with the appropriate and there are now over 500 clothing banks at skills to look at our organisation as various fire stations across the country where Building on its partnership with the ‘critical friends.’ The team, led by donations can be left. Chief Fire Officers’ Association, the the current President of the Chief hits million mark! Local Government Association (LGA) Fire Officers’ Association Paul Fuller, Our successful ongoing relationship with has undertaken a Peer Review to recognised and commented on areas We’ve been operating the successful recycling our recycling partners over the years has ascertain how well we are performing of strength and then added useful campaign since the summer of 2009, which helped us raise this staggering £1m – in relation to the “Charity Commission’s areas for the Charity to explore further. thanks to the support of D. Robinson & Co, six hallmarks of an effective charity”. Our particular thanks go to the Local has seen over 7,000 tonnes of clothing Tom W Beaumont Ltd, Alford Storage & Government Association and all those diverted away from landfill sites and has Textile Company (Astco), WH Tracey, Clyde The Peer Review took place in involved in collating the evidence Recycling, LMB and Elmtree Recycling. February and consisted of a range of beforehand and to those taking part in raised such a large amount of money for us. on-site activities including interviews, the Peer Review at Head Office and at conference calls, observations and our Marine Court rehabilitation centre focus groups. The review team met in Littlehampton. with a broad cross-section of staff, beneficiaries, stakeholders, We will now communicate the volunteers and partners. findings of the Peer Review and We extend a warm Terry supported our Charity throughout will use them to improve our welcome to Rose New his career until retirement and acted as a performance and efficiency, as representative at fire station level. He was well as learning new and better Donoghue – our treasurer to the Dorset Fire Brigade and ways of meeting the evolving newest member on Year’s also carried out the duties of a Home Visitor, needsof our beneficiaries. Using visiting members of the fire community who our critical friends’ review of our the Board of Trustees. Honours are distressed or in need, to find out how performance, and the impact and we may help them. outcomes of our work, the findings will feed into the Charity’s business planning process to influence our Rose is a solicitor and partner with Our congratulations future direction. Shoosmiths. She has extensive Terry John Cordery from Ferndown experience working with charities go to Terry and all It’s an exciting who support victims of personal was made a Member of the British those recognised in time for us! injury and also volunteers and Empire for services to Dorset assists Basingstoke Shopmobility in the 2014 New Years’ John Parry fundraising events. Her position as Schools’ Football Association, to the Chief Executive Honours List! partner at Shoosmiths means she community in Ferndown and to The has strong financial and business modelling experience, as well as Fire Fighters Charity. excellent attention to detail. 4 | SHOUT! SPRING 2014 SHOUT! SPRING 2014 | 5 TitleAchievements Adult Hero • Alan Chapman, Littleport • Tracey Jane Marriott, Evesham The Spirit of Fire To be shortlisted for these awards • Emma Burles, Hannah King, and is a remarkable achievement Awards are held The Spirit of Fire Jordan McNulty, Hockley so please come and show your • Paul Tunnah and Grant Blears, annually to honour support by attending on 16 May Manchester members of the Fire 2014 at the Westminster Park Plaza in London. To book a place Team of the Year and Rescue Service, or table, and for more information, please visit our website: • Blue Watch Newport, Isle of Wight and members of the finalists www.spiritoffireawards.co.uk • Borders Barmy Army, Galashiels public, by recognising • Oxford to Bonn Challenge Cycle bravery within the Judges Team, Oxford fire community and Revealed • StrongArm Challenge Team, Tyne Andrew Lynch – Editor of Fire The shortlist of and Wear / Durham and Darlington dedication to The Magazine and Trustee of finalists for our special Fire Fighters Charity.