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Fire Fighters Charity has launched a Winter Appeal as it continues to see a rise in demand for its vital health and wellbeing support.
Every day, firefighters and control staff put their health and wellbeing on the line for their communities. But who’s helping them? That’s where Fire Fighters Charity comes in.
In recent months, more and more individuals have turned to the charity for support. In fact, since 2019, the charity has more than doubled the scale of its support and last year alone, it helped more than 10,000 individuals and families. Therefore, the response to this demand must grow too.
The charity has launched a Winter Appeal, not only to shine a light on the physical and mental health services it offers the UK fire community, but also the need for donations – to ensure it can continue offering its life-changing care and support.
“Reaching out for help reflects so profoundly what our Fire and Rescue Services stand for: compassion, courage, and community. Those same values shine through in the stories we share, as part of our Winter Appeal.”
Sherine Wheeler, CEO, Fire Fighters Charity.
One of those stories comes from Rich Welch, Chief Fire Officer of Avon Fire and Rescue Service. Rich always dreamt of being a firefighter, and when he joined London Fire Brigade at 23, he immediately felt at home. Underlying his role was a deep sense of pride, knowing he was helping people. But equally there were long hours and hard work, with Rich’s first year involving several fatalities. Back then he learned to cope by relying on his crew.
“The camaraderie was the biggest thing,” Rich says. “You spend all your time together… They become like a second family.” They went on to help him through missed birthdays and Christmases but, despite the sacrifices, he loved the job. “It’s not a job, it’s a lifestyle,” he says.
However, for him, nothing compared to 14 June 2017. Woken by his pager, Rich – who was a Group Manager at the time – was called to the Grenfell Tower tragedy. The true toll came later. “You feel like you’re on your own,” he admits. “That’s where the support from the charity is absolutely priceless.
“We join this job to help people… what we’re not so great at is helping ourselves. The bravest thing you can do is put your hand up and say, ‘I need help’.”
With Fire Fighters Charity’s support at Harcombe House, Rich began to heal. “It gave me the chance to start moving forward again,” he says.
Now Assistant Chief Fire Officer at Avon Fire and Rescue, Rich encourages others – including his son, Jack, who’s now a firefighter with LFB – to speak openly: “It’s not a weakness to ask for help – it’s a strength.”
Every day, your donations help to ensure people like Rich – and his colleagues – have access to dedicated programmes at the charity’s centres and remote support, so that they all live well and feel valued and recognised.
Find out more about the charity and support Fire Fighters Charity’s Winter Appeal.
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