Salamander issue 3

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MEMBERS & EVENTS
The City Dinner 2017
The prestigious city event held at XL Catlin Head Office
The Certificate of Achievment was awarded to Community Fire Cadet Purusotha Thuraisingam-Thambiayah
by LFB CFO Danny Cotton and John Mansfield (Master WCoFF)
In November, the Worshipful
Company of Firefighters
held its annual black-tie
fundraising dinner, in support
of fire related youth training,
education and support
schemes. The focus of the
dinner was on the Fire Cadet
activity and the Burns Camp,
which supports young burns
survivors.
The Master, Chair of Trustees
and Officers of the WCoFF, as
well as VIP’s from Government,
the City, Insurers and major
Fire Industry organisations,
over 120 guests in all, enjoyed
an evening of food, wines,
convivial company and good
entertainment. Over £20,000
was raised for some very
vulnerable people and some
very worthwhile causes.
The Government’s Chief
Fire & Rescue Advisor, Peter
Holland CBE QFSM FIFireE,
hosted the evening. Dany
Cotton, Commissioner of the
London Fire Brigade, Ian Dyson
Commissioner of the City of
London Police and Martyn
Emberson, Chief Inspector
of Scottish Fire and Rescue,
were also attended. Particularly
moving were presentations by
the recipient of the WCoFF Fire
Cadet certificate, Purusotha
Thuraisingam-Thambiayah,
and Libby, a young burns victim.
Purusotha gave an amazing
insight to the how his Fire
Cadet training has given him a
wide range of both mental and
physical experiences, giving
him the “I can do it” confidence
for today’s life challenges. Libby,
who suffered life-changing
injuries from a scalding incident
when she was just 18 months
old and has endured over 60
operations in her short life,
wanted to let our guests know
how the Burns Camp brought
boundless happiness and
opportunities to many young
people like her, from so many
different backgrounds, in a
safe and non-judgemental
environment.
Faryl Smith and three friends
from the Guildhall School of
Music and Drama, collectively
known as EnFour, provided
the evening’s entertainment.
The performance commenced
with the “Arms of the Angel”, a
tribute to those who lost lives
in the Grenville Tower fire,
especially poignant as two
members of the London Fire
Brigade involved in the incident
were at the dinner. A rendition of
“Pomp and Circumstance” with
a flag-waving finale closed the
evening.
The WCoFF wishes to express
their gratitude to XL Catlin who
have so generously supported
the dinner for over 8 years and
to everyone who attended and
donated cash, pledges and
personal donations to help the
Trustees continue their work.
Stuart McEwan
PR & Marketing Committee.
Worshipful Company of Firefighters