The Fire Fighters Charity

Previously known as the Fire Service National Benevolent Fund, The Fire Fighters Charity exists to give welfare support to all serving and retired members of the fire and rescue service and their families.

Therapy

The Charity offers residential therapy programmes at centres in Cumbria and Devon. Run by teams of dedicated professionals, both therapy centres offer a wide range of treatments including exercise therapy and physiotherapy - often helping firefighters to return to work after career threatening injuries. More recently, the Charity has also begun to develop services for members of the public who have suffered burns injuries. It is in the fire community's nature to try to help as many people as possible, and so the Charity will now assist a small number of adult and child burns victims.

Recuperation

Illness, injury or other problems can place tremendous strain on serving or retired fire service personnel and their families, and the intensity of this unique profession often creates difficulties which they can struggle to cope with. The Charity has recuperation facilities at all three of its UK centres, giving individuals and families the opportunity to get their lives back on track through emotional and physical recovery.

Support services

Whilst thousands of people every year visit one of the Charity's three centres for therapy or recuperation services, some need help in other ways. The Charity has recently launched a pioneering new Beneficiary Support Service which puts in place trained volunteers and professionals nationwide, with the aim of helping people locally. A confidential and impartial helpline service is also provided, offering advice and support on a wide range of issues faced by fire service personnel and their families.

Organisation

The Charity is organised within the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service by a County Co-ordination Team, with Area Co-ordinators supporting Station Representatives.

Fundraising

Fundraising, in various forms, continues throughout the year. In May 2009, Hampshire received national recognition at the Charity's annual awards event "The Spirit of Fire" being named as "Brigade of the Year". The "Fundraiser of the Year" award went to the Hampshire organisers of "The Ladies Driving Challenge", an event organised by personnel from Grayshott and Rushmoor Fire Stations.

All of the services of the Charity are available by calling one telephone number - 0800 389 8820.

Holiday accommodation, at reasonable rates, is also available at the recuperation centres.

The Fire Fighters Lottery is a way of supporting the Charity and, at the same time, offering the chance to win cash prizes.

Visit the Charity's website at www.firefighterscharity.org.uk.