“Thanks to the charity, I’ve been able to support my family.” - George

My name’s George and I wanted to share how entering the Fire Fighters Charity Christmas Raffle this year will help more people like me in our fire family.

I’m an on-call firefighter with East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and received support from the Fire Fighters Charity for my physical health, as well as guidance with my finances, after a back injury meant months off work from my day job as a self-employed builder and decorator.

Thanks to the charity, I’ve been able to support my family - including my baby son, Ralph, who we welcomed in May this year - through some of the toughest months of my life.

When I started struggling with severe back pain, I was sent for an MRI which found I had a herniated disc. I went on to have surgery on it which meant months off work to recover.

I got in touch with the charity and was offered both digital and face-to-face support initially. Luckily, I’m only 50 minutes from Marine Court which offers an Outpatients Programme, and the sessions were so helpful. I could go in for a few hours each week and work on an exercise plan, specific to my needs, including time in the gym and pool and support from the Physiotherapists.

While I was there, I enquired about welfare support too. I’d just got married and my wife was pregnant at the time, so it couldn’t have come at a worse time. I needed to get back to work as soon as I could really.

I talked through my finances with the welfare team and ended up accepting some guidance and support in January. After the support I’ve had, I’d highly recommend the charity to other on-call firefighters.

I’m now back to work on light duties in both of my roles and we’re looking forward to our first Christmas as a family this year. I can’t thank the charity enough for its support.

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