footballThe eighth Community Cup football match between Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) and a community team drawn from all faiths and backgrounds from across Luton is set to take place this Wednesday [20 May] at Luton Town football stadium.

Butch Fazal, who is organising the event, said: “This is the eighth Community Cup match and for the first six years the community team won it. However in 2013 Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service won the match and last year, due to the game being played on a bank holiday, the Fire Service were unable to field a team; so the match was played between two community teams. That means the Fire Service are currently holders of the cup. Obviously we want to change all that!”

Gates open from 4.30pm for a children’s game featuring players from the youth faith based league. At 5.30pm the two main teams begin warming up for a 6pm kick-off. During half-time there will be a game between Luton’s Imams. The event is open to all with no charge for entry.

Laraine Rason, BFRS Area Community Safety Officer (Home and Other Risks) said “The match is a great way to bring the community together and meet our firefighters. It also gives us the opportunity to spread key home and road safety messages, raising awareness and increasing understanding of fire prevention and road safety. We’re looking forward to defending our 2013 victory.

“We’d like to thank Luton Town Football Club for continuing to support our working together. This is the eighth year they have given us free use of the ground, helping to ensure they continue to make an impact within the surrounding community by engaging with them through sport.”