UK fire department raises money to help African firefighters

Charitable group will send 3 fire engines, medical supplies and uniforms to Africa

The Bristol Evening Post

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE, U.K. — Guests dressed up for a special night out at Yate Fire Station and raised more than £2,500 to help African firefighters.

The station was the venue for a charity dinner hosted by Mike Drew, chairman of South Gloucestershire Council, in aid of the Gambia and Avon Fire Services in Partnership (GAFSIP) trust.

Around 60 invited guests attended the event, which included a raffle and auction, to support the trust's work in organising shipments to the Gambia of donated fire and ambulance vehicles, equipment, educational materials and spare parts.

Mr Drew said: "I thank the firefighters of Yate Station for their support, both for the event and their long-term support for GAFSIP."
Trust founder and former Avon fire chief Dave Hutchings set up GAFSIP in 1991 when he was on holiday in the Gambia and saw a crash in which a number of people died due to a lack of fire cover.

He said: "Later this year we will be sending three fire engines, two containers full of medical goods, educational materials and some old uniforms donated by firefighters."