Posted: Tuesday 1 May 2018, 10:19
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) Watch Manager and Co-op Store Manager Shane Reeves has helped raise nearly £30,000 which has been presented to the Fire Fighters Charity (FFC) at the retailer’s Derbyshire-based distribution depot.
At the beginning of last year, Shane, an On-Call Watch Manager from Shirebrook, approached his Regional Manager at the Co-op, Danny Howarth, with the idea that 19 stores stretching from Bolsover down to London could raise money for a charity very close to his heart, the Fire Fighters Charity. Thankfully he agreed and Shane with support from the FFC gave a presentation to the other 18 Store Managers highlighting exactly what the Charity did and why it was so important to raise funds to support such a good cause.
Since then, nearly £30,000 has been raised by Co-op staff running marathons, hosting raffles, cake sales and pub quizzes and a few even participated in a sky dive! In some areas fire crews have also been supporting the fund raising by helping raise money in between their shifts on station. This money has now been presented to the FFC, whilst the same 19 Co-op stores have agreed that as a group they will continue to support and raise funds for the Charity for the next 12 months.
Co-op Regional Manager, Danny Howarth, said, “The amount of money that we as an organisation have been able to raise highlights the importance of the Fire Fighters Charity and the hard work and commitment of our fantastic workforce. Supporting communities is at the heart of everything we do and I’m delighted that we have been able to support this very worthy cause.”
Fire Fighters Charity Regional Fundraiser Laura Harden said, “It’s fantastic that the Co-op have been able to support the FFC in the way in which they have done. £30,000 would enable 25 Firefighters to have a week’s rehabilitation and receive support and guidance from our dedicated team which equips people with the tools they may need to self-manage their conditions once they return home.”
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service Area Manager Bob Curry said, “I’m very proud and humbled to hear of the amount of money that has been raised by the Co-op for the FFC. I would personally like to thank everyone including our very own Shane Reeves, who helped make this happen. £30,000 is a substantial amount of money and hopefully this figure will increase even more over the next 12 months with continued support.”
For more information and details on how you can donate to the Fire Fighters Charity visit: https://www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/donate/
To check out everything DFRS does to support the FFC and to stay up to date with all the relevant safety messages we promote, follow us on social media:
Twitter: @DerbyshireFRS
Facebook: @DerbyshireFRS
Instagram: @derbyshirefrs
Pictured: Co-op staff (including DFRS Watch Manager Shane Reeves) presenting FFC Representative Debbie Rushbrooke with cheque along with DFRS Area Manager Bob Curry and Alfreton Green Watch.
