Two Warrington men have been given awards by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service for racking up more than 7,000 hours volunteering.
Chris Harrop, 43, of Barsbank Lane, Lymm, was given a Titanium award at the service’s Volunteer Achievement Awards for volunteering more than 5,000 hours to the Service and Stephen Dyke, 51, of Glazebrook Lane, Glazebrook, won a Palladium award for more than 2,000 hours of volunteering.
Both men volunteer in the Service’s Post Fire Support Team which helps to clear and clean up domestic properties after a fire.
Chris, who works as a milkman, has been volunteering his time for the Service for the past five years and Stephen, who is a full time carer for his mother, has been volunteering for three years.
They were presented their awards by Fire Authority member Eleanor Johnson at a ceremony celebrating the fantastic volunteers at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Chris said: “After a fire we get a call from the crew on the scene and we go and clear up what needs clearing – 24 hours a day.
“It is great, I’ve made a lot of new friends and I do all the station open days as well so I’ve met people from across the departments.”
Chris began volunteering for the Service after seeing an article online.
“I just fancied having a go. I’m a very practical person with my hands. You can get some really good jobs which are not too bad but you can also get the really smelly horrible ones but we just get on with it,” he said.
Stephen said: “My circumstances changed after I gave up work after 30 years to care for my mum. I wanted to volunteer and it was a question of what could I do which was worthwhile.
“Even if you can only make some difference you feel like you have made a difference. There is a sense of satisfaction when you leave, and each case is different.”
Volunteer co-ordinator at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, Claire Bennett, said: “I’m so pleased for Chris and Stephen who have given so much of their time to the service. They have been brilliant volunteers over the past few years and the Service really appreciates all their help.
“Volunteering is really important to the Service and we do what we can to recognise their amazing contribution to our work.”
The Service is currently looking for more cadet leaders and also for volunteers to help maintain and manage the vintage fire engines. If you want to volunteer your time then please visit http://www.cheshirefire.gov.uk/jobs/volunteers
