Page 152 - Archived Back Issues

City Dinner Event
This dinner was a major showcase for the launch of a 3 year programme from our Company to the education, training and support of young people. It was held at the Catlin Group offices in the City of London on 12th November. All money raised goes directly to the Charitable Trust Fund of the Worshipful Company of Firefighters. Organisations which could benefit from grants from the Trust were represented and spoke briefly about their work.
The LFB Community Fire Cadets made a guard of honour for the Master and honoured guests upon entrance and during the opening speeches. Our top table honoured guests included: James Cleverly AM - Chairman, London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority; Ron Dobson CBE QFSM FIFireE - London Fire Commissioner; Paul Fuller, QFSM, President, Chief Fire Officers Association; Ian Dyson - Assistant Commissioner, City of London Police and Mrs Martina Milburn CBE - CEO of the Prince's Trust
Our host Peter Holland, CBE OStJ QFSM FIFireE, HM Government Chief Fire & Rescue Adviser, read a letter that was from a young man who had attended a Prince's Trust training programme. This was a very moving account of his journey from being a very lonely and antisocial person to becoming a valuable member of society. This move was made possible with his involvement with the Prince's Trust and he has stayed in touch to become a mentor for other participants.
Cassandra Swan gave an overview of the work undertaken by the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service on youth engagement programmes. The dramatic changes seen in the young men and women could be seen by all those involved. Josiah Barker gave his own personal experiences and how the programme has changed his life.
More information can be found at www.bedsfire.com.
Dave Gill, from the London Fire Brigade Crossfire team gave a very good account and demonstration of the work that the Crossfire team undertakes at primary schools.
The Crossfire team has developed a programme for schoolchildren, to support citizenship programmes within schools. This one-day programme explores decision making, choices and consequences through real- life re-enactments of critical incidents using film, workshops and enactments to increase their awareness of safety in the home and the community.
Paul Fuller explained the work of the Children's Burns Trust. The Trust receive no government funding and are only able to continue the work they do as a result of their own fundraising efforts administered by their small (1.5 person) full-time team.
More information can be found at www.cbtrust.org.uk.
After-dinner entertainment was provided by the very talented singers from Tring Theatre School who performed some wonderful songs.
More images can be found on the WCoFF website.
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