Several West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) crews have joined forces in a fundraising effort for St Giles Hospice, a local charity that supported a colleague receiving treatment following a terminal cancer diagnosis.

Laurie Flannagan, a Crew Manager at Bloxwich Fire Station, was diagnosed last July. Since then, he’s received support from St Giles Hospice, who offer personalised care at their two centres, one near Lichfield and the other in Sutton. They also offer a specialised ‘Hospice at Home’ service.

Bucket collections, organised by Laurie himself, and a sponsored running challenge, have seen almost four thousand pounds raised by crews from Ward End, Erdington, Ladywood and Perry Barr fire stations.

Firefighters pose infront of a fire engine with collection buckets

Jack King, a Crew Manager at Perry Barr, has helped with the fundraising collections at local supermarkets. He said: “Laurie was based at Perry Barr for several years, and was my crew manager when I moved here.

“Always helpful and knowledgeable, he left here to go to Bloxwich but got back in touch to tell us about his cancer diagnosis. He asked if we wanted to support some fundraising for St Giles, who had been supporting him, and ‘no’ just wasn’t an answer.

“He’s always liked a challenge and this was his latest one. Sorting the bucket collections and sourcing the locations for us to go to has given him some focus, and something to get stuck into while he’s been off.

Jack King

Crew Commander

Collections were a real success and people were so giving.

Firefighters pose with a cheque, presented to St Giles Hospice

Regional Fundraiser Alison Tumelty, who received the donation on behalf of St Giles at Perry Barr Fire Station, said the WMFS support has been gratefully received.

“St Giles is such an important place for so many people. Every supporter I speak to, whether recipients of care or their friends and family, agrees with how important our services are.

“I’ve been working with Laurie and we’ve been regularly in touch about the fundraising. He wanted to give something back to us as a hospice, and his support, alongside that of his colleagues, is greatly, greatly appreciated.

“WMFS has been brilliant. It’s been a seamless process to co-ordinate and the service’s support has been invaluable.”

Learn more about St Giles Hospice, make a small donation or just find out about the support they offer.