It is a privilege for me to be able to offer support for the Fire Fighters Charity by way of my Caribbean Property Charity Auction.

Without such an highly skilled and efficient Fire service many people would suffer during emergency situations, to the Fire service I applaud all those men and women who in many instances put their lives and personal safety at risk in order to protect the public.

The voice of the Firefighters Charity

The Firefighters Charity is the UK fire services charity and offers support to all fire service personnel and their dependants.

The charity holds a beneficiary base of 218,000 men, women and children, all of whom have a connection to the Fire Services, but not necessarily linked to the firefighter occupation.

The Firefighters Charity seeks to support the fire services community, regardless of rank, geographical location, age or relation. This includes:

• Uniformed Fire Service personnel.
• Non-uniformed Fire Service personnel.
• ALL ranks and roles, from Station Cooks to Chief Fire Officers.
• Retired Fire Service personnel.
• Dependents of the above (including spouses, children and other dependent individuals).

What services does the The Firefighters Charity offer?

The Firefighters Charity offers Therapy, Recuperation, a free and impartial Helpline and a Beneficiary Support Policy (North West UK), as well as Child and Family Focused Therapy. Other lesser services are available depending upon personal circumstances.

What is the Therapy Service?

The charity has two Therapy centers in the UK - Jubilee Therapy Center (Cumbria) and Harcombe House (Devon).

These centers specialise in providing expert individual therapy tailored to meet each individuals needs, targeting their specific physical condition and with the aim to optimise their quality of life.

There is additionally a Child and Family Focused Therapy programme that offers help to the next generation of the fire services community, assisting young people that are afflicted with any number of conditions and disabilities.

What is the Recuperation Service?

The Recuperation service is aimed at beneficiaries who need to relax and regain a state of mind which ensures their personal and professional lives are as rewarding as they should be.

As such, all three of the charity's centers have the capacity to offer this service, including the coastal-based retreat Marine Court (Littlehampton), which is currently undergoing a £1.5m makeover.

All centers provide an idyllic location and opportunity for individuals to take time out.

What is the Beneficiary Support Policy?

The charity is piloting an innovative new policy, which offers real-life solutions to its beneficiaries. This policy puts in place trained volunteers and professionals at a more local, accessible level, with the main aim of removing bureaucracy and helping individuals quickly and effectively, but can be molded to meet the specific needs of the person.

This pilot has completed its preliminary stage in the North West region of England and Northern Ireland and has been a great success. The ambition is to roll the policy out to the entire UK, but in order to do so the charity needs to raise at least £1m extra every year to provide this on-tap assistance.

How much do these services cost me?

All services are completely FREE of charge. There are no costs attached to them in any way. The The Firefighters Charity's only concern is to get the beneficiaries back to full health and fitness.

All services are completely FREE of charge.

There are no costs attached to them in any way. The Firefighters Charity's only concern is to get the beneficiaries back to full health and fitness.

** Please note that the offer of therapy or recuperation is subject to availability, is allocated on a need basis, and that other terms and conditions may apply. **

How many beneficiaries does the The Firefighters Charity support annually?

The Firefighters Charity currently supports over 11,000 men, women and children every year, but this figure is continually growing. The charity hopes to help over 16,000 by the year 2011. The charity receives thousands of grateful thanks each year from beneficiaries whose lives, mobility and fitness have been dramatically improved because of their cutting-edge support.

How can I support the UK Fire Services' charity?

The Firefighters Charity receives no Government funding and is greatly dependant upon the donations from the fire services and the general public.

Countless fundraising events are organised regionally and nationally in the hope to float its much-needed services. Annual events such as the National Car Wash day help raise thousands of pounds to provide support services, along with abseiling activities, Ladies Driving Challenges, and even skydiving.

The charity is a firm believer that fundraising should be fun, so even if the hundreds of activities regularly organized by fundraisers are not quite to your taste, The Firefighters Charity representatives will strive to work with you in order to put something together that you've always wanted to do.

The Firefighters Charity is the Firefighters charity, so get involved and rest assured that when you need it, it will be there for you.