A group of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) volunteers have been celebrated at the 2025 Portsmouth Inspiring Volunteer Awards.
Southsea Volunteer Cadet Instructors William Eves, Simon Miles, Steve Baldwin, Will Sammes, Carley Wright and Jordan Montague were joined by Community Volunteers Derek Benelisha, Annie Quinhentos, Elisabeth Kamakoue and John Weston at the volunteer awards ceremony held on the 30 September at the Kings Theatre in Southsea.
Three groups of HIWFRS volunteers were acknowledged at the annual awards – Southsea Fire Cadet Instructors, Portsmouth and Cosham volunteers and volunteers who supported the United Kingdom Rescue Organisation (UKRO) festival of rescue.
Portsmouth and Cosham community volunteers received a commendation for the Community team award, and the Southsea Fire Cadet Instructors were runners-up for the Education and Wellbeing team award. The UKRO Volunteers also received a certificate of appreciation in recognition of their commitment, so it was a night of celebration all round.
Southsea Fire Cadet Instructors were nominated for their commitment and dedication, turning up week after week to share their knowledge and skills and encouraging cadets to be the best versions of themselves.
HIWFRS Fire Cadet Manager Clair Hayward said:
“At the end of the programme fire cadets leave with high levels of confidence and essential social, life, work and wellbeing skills resulting in safer, stronger and healthier communities. The unwavering dedication, positive influence and exceptional leadership shown by our Southsea Fire Cadet Instructors makes them truly deserving of this commendation.”
Portsmouth and Cosham community volunteers regularly attend events, providing fire safety and prevention advice and promoting home fire safety (Safe and Well) visits to vulnerable members of the community. They assist partner organisations in delivering road safety messages and help at Station Open Days and Firefighter recruitment events.
HIWFRS Volunteer Programme Manager Lee Joss said:
“The contribution of our community volunteers is crucial for enabling us to achieve our mission of making Hampshire and the Isle of Wight safer for all, and all the volunteers are very deserving of this commendation.”
“It has been a pleasure to see our valued volunteers celebrated at this event and we are extremely proud of each and every one of our HIWFRS volunteers!”
Find out more about the HIWFRS Volunteer Programme
Find out more about HIWFRS Fire Cadets
