With the help of our partners, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, we are seeing our Warm in Winter gift bags distributed across Bedfordshire for the first time, and this week we had the great pleasure of visiting the team at Dunstable Fire Station who are co-ordinating the distribution alongside their Home Fire Safety Visits. 250 gift bags have already been delivered to stations across Bedfordshire and the fantastic team at Dunstable Fire Station will also be delivering gift bags to individuals who have requested them.

We met with Firefighter Ian Burrows who has delivered some of our bags. He said, ‘The response from the recipients receiving the bags has been overwhelmingly positive, as it is a small but grand gesture to remind them that they are not alone and that we are here to help. Sometimes just reaching out and making contact with the most vulnerable is enough to help save a life over this very cold winter. This is something that Lynne and her incredible team deeply understand, and working beside them has been an inspiration.'

Their enthusiasm and kindness as we take our first steps into Bedfordshire has been a huge support as we try to connect with vulnerable, older people in this new area. This is a really exciting time for us and we are thrilled to be able to share this success with the team at Dunstable.

Chris Hamill, Chair of Trustees commented, ‘It was a pleasure to spend time with the excellent team at Dunstable Fire Station to coordinate the distribution of our Warm in Winter gift bags across Bedfordshire. In our first year of operations in the County we are delighted to be able to partner with organisations like Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service who play such an important support role to vulnerable, older people in their community.’

For more information or if you are interested in working with us across Bedfordshire, please contact our Community Engagement Manager, Sarah Neighbour at [email protected] 

Firefighter Liam Smith delivering a Warm in Winter gift bag