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Warwickshire honor fallen firefighters |
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A memorial service was held at Coventry Cathedral on January 25 in memory of the four fallen firefighters: Ian Reid, John Averis, Darren Yates-Badley and Ashley Stephens who died fighting the warehouse fire in Atherstone on Stour. Hundreds of firefighters, elected members and government ministers attended the service, which was conducted by the Canon of Coventry Cathedral, Adrian Daffern. During the service County Fire Officer William Brown paid tribute to his men, saying: “Duty is a word that firefighters begin a relationship with the moment they join our Service. And despite a loss of true meaning in many parts of our society today, firefighters remain steadfast and for me represent the true essence of the word. “In this world there are people who give and people who take. Firefighters give of themselves to the community they serve, sometimes, as we know, at the ultimate cost. As firefighters we acknowledge this but with our passion and desire to help others we serve all the same. It is with these thoughts in mind we should remember our fallen heroes. “We in Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service have received messages of condolence from within the Fire Service community, from all over the world. I know I speak on behalf of this community when I say that we are honoured to have served alongside these men. Let it be known to all that it is an honour that we do not take lightly.”
A fund has been set up to support the families of the four firefighters and to date it has raised over half a million pounds through a range of fundraising events including concerts featuring X Factor contestants, football matches and charity events. For further information on the Warwickshire Firefighters Families Fund log onto www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fireandrescue
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