Sutton’s firefighters are joining fire stations across the nation in hosting a car wash for the public to raise money for the Fire Fighters Charity.
The charity supports firefighters both serving and retired as well as their families through services including a 24/7 crisis line, residential stays for rehabilitation, and family weeks for partners and children.
There are seven fire stations from the London Fire Brigade taking part in the charity car wash this year to fundraise, with Sutton’s car wash taking place on 13 June.
Steve Mills, station officer for Sutton’s red watch, said: “We couldn’t do our job without [the Fire Fighters Charity] – when we’re at our time of need they really, really support us.”
The Fire Fighters Charity started as the London Fire Service Benevolent Fund in 1940 during the Blitz, and went on to care for fire service orphans and open recuperation centres across the country.
Today, the charity helps the whole UK fire family with their mental and physical health services.
Louise Furneaux, regional fundraiser for the Fire Fighters Charity, said: “We’re relevant to the public because we need Steve and his colleagues down at Sutton and all over the country to be fit and healthy for us on our worst days.”
Before the Covid pandemic, the Fire Fighters Charity used to assist about 4000 people but that has risen post-Covid in the UK to around 13,000-13,5000 people, according to Furneaux.
The car wash is sponsored by Autoglym, who provide their shampoo so firefighters can clean the community’s vehicles – including tractors and Little Tikes – in return for funds to support the charity.
Mills said: “Any donation, no matter how small, is gratefully received and will be used to great effects to support fire fighters and their families.
“No matter how dirty or dusty your car is, bring it to Sutton fire station and we’ll leave it gleaming.”
The car wash for the Fire Fighters Charity will take place at Sutton fire station, 43 St Dunstan’s Hill SM1 2JX on 13 June from 11am to 4pm.
Feature image: Sutton Fire Station
