We stand with the fire services community, helping people like Ray…
"I’ve always suffered with pain in my knees, likely down to wear and tear from a long career in the fire service. But my life changed completely last year when I had an operation on both legs – which fell around the time I also lost my wife, Agnes.
All of a sudden I was completely bedbound for several weeks, dealing with losing Agnes, and relying on her wonderful daughter to help me get by.
I slowly learned to walk short distances, but I was unable to climb the stairs. I’d recently had the upstairs bathroom refurbished, but I couldn’t reach it, so was reliant on very basic facilities downstairs – all while sleeping in my living room.
I’d always donated to Fire Fighters Charity monthly, throughout my career with Warwickshire FRS, but I never considered reaching out for help at the time. I actually assumed the support was only for injuries or illnesses.
When everything happened last year, someone suggested I contact them to see if I could get any help. I knew I’d need a stairlift, but I was really worried about the hit it would have financially.
The charity was amazing. Someone from the welfare team visited me at home, did a financial assessment, and told me they could help towards funding a lift. They applied to Lyme Green Trust from there, which provides grants to people with severe disabilities who have served in the emergency services, and they ended up funding the entire lift. I couldn’t believe it - I was over the moon.
Having the stairlift now has completely changed my living situation, I can’t thank them enough."
Click here to read Ray’s full story
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