The Fire Fighters Charity is the new identity of the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund, which has been supporting the UK fire services for six decades.

During the heavy bombing of the Blitz in World WAR 2 money raised in the USA was sent to London Fire Brigade to help relieve distress amongst Fire Service dependents. Money also came from South Africa, Canada, Mexico, Nigeria and South America. A Committee was formed to administer this fund and out of that, on 9th August 1943, the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund was born.

We are now a mature 63 years old and like all of that age there is a wealth of experience gained through trial and error, but today the Fire Fighters Charity is one of the best small charities in Britain.

An important point for all members of Strathclyde Fire & Rescue Retired Employees Association to consider is that they DO NOT stop being a beneficiary of FFC once they retire – they are LIFETIME beneficiaries, as are our widows also lifetime beneficiaries.

The FFC now makes a surplus after many years in deficit. More beneficiaries receive recuperation and therapy than ever before. Income has grown to fund all the new services – it now takes over £9 million to run the fund per year. The Charity has been reformed as a Limited Company Charity to reflect the increasing success of the fund. We have grown enormously since those early days and we now provide a range of services to help Fire Service families who are experiencing difficulties – whether they are financial, physical or emotional. The fund is totally dependent on income from its members. We receive no funding from the Government.

It now takes over £9 million per year to run the fund and the only fundraisers we have are Regular Giving with Gift Aid – where the fund receives £1.28p income for every £1.00 donated and the new FFC Lottery where the fund receives 50 pence from every £1.00 contributed (50p going on the prize money)

Amongst the list of facilities on offer to all of us are:-

• Marine Court, Littlehampton - Rest & Recuperation
• Harcombe House, Devon - Rest & Recuperation and Therapy
• Jubilee House, Penrith - Therapy and Rest & Recuperation
• Local Rest & Recuperation - if you are unfit to travel then the fund can contribute towards the cost of your stay locally - Ayr, Borders, Loch Lomond, Trossachs etc.

These facilities are also available for OUT OF SEASON RENTALS and breaks. We can now have an off-season holiday at the FFC facilities from as little as £100.

A range of benefits and registers are now available to us all too – amongst which the chief ones are

• Helpline – 0800 389 8820 - offers advice on a range of subjects such as State Benefits, Health, Social Care, Employment, Finance, Debt, Relationships, Family Matters as well as FFC matters.

• Registers
  • Widows/Widowers
  • Young Special Needs
  • Young Dependants
  • Less Able

• Grants
  • One-off Hardship Grant
  • One-off Grant for Equipment
  • Education Grant
  • Less Able

If you need any further information about accessing services or if you wish to contribute through Gift Aid or try a shot of the Lottery please contact:

Joe Harkins
Regular Giving Fundraiser
Tel: 0141 849 7130
or email on joe.harkins@strathclydefire.org