Cakes a winner for Horsham firefighters' fundraiser

A Horsham firefighter's passion for her job helped raise more than £500 selling cakes and running a prize auction at the recent Sparks in the Park event.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Jul 2016, 17:09 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 21:33 BST
Horsham firefighter Laura Fitch and her family raise money for the Firefighters Charity at the Horsham Sparks in the Park 2016 - submittedHorsham firefighter Laura Fitch and her family raise money for the Firefighters Charity at the Horsham Sparks in the Park 2016 - submitted
Horsham firefighter Laura Fitch and her family raise money for the Firefighters Charity at the Horsham Sparks in the Park 2016 - submitted

Laura Fitch, who is based at the town’s station in Hurst Road has dedicated herself to helping raise funds for the Fire Fighters Charity.

The station often runs car washes and other events to support the charity and this was the first one Laura had organised by herself.

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She canvassed support from a range of businesses to offer raffle prizes and, along with a homemade cake sale, they raised £509.

Horsham firefighter Laura Fitch and her family raise money for the Firefighters Charity at the Horsham Sparks in the Park 2016 - submittedHorsham firefighter Laura Fitch and her family raise money for the Firefighters Charity at the Horsham Sparks in the Park 2016 - submitted
Horsham firefighter Laura Fitch and her family raise money for the Firefighters Charity at the Horsham Sparks in the Park 2016 - submitted

Laura has been in the service for a little over a year and has already seen how vital the work of the charity is.

She said: “One of our crew managers has recently had an operation to replace the cartilage in his knee.

“The charity provided a physical rehabilitation programme to help rebuild the muscle and strength so he could return to everyday duties. This crew manager has now returned to his duties and is now back on the run.”

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Laura took part in the Sparks Community Safety showcase demonstrating lifesaving skills to the public.

Station manager Richard Davy praised her efforts.

He said: “Laura has been with us now for 14 months and during that time has fully involved herself in the role.

“She has totally absorbed herself in the day to day work of a Retained Firefighter but also has been involved with the public events we hold.

“Laura has seen the benefits of the Fire Fighters Charity as some of her colleague have benefitted from their services and therefore really understands the need to raise funds.

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“She assisted earlier this year with a charity car wash at the station and along with her very supportive family has raised this fantastic amount of money as a further donation.

“I think that everyone in the service can see the benefits of the charity but some are more motivated than others to go out there and put on an event and raise the funds.”

“The prize draw that formed a part of the fund raising was well supported by local businesses, too numerous to mention individually but I would like to thank them all for their generous donations.

“Laura and her mum Tania certainly knew which businesses to approach and therefore put together a great selection of prizes.

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“Together with their marathon cake baking efforts and their sales on the day their donation of over £500 was fantastic.

“We have very glad to have Laura as a part of our team at Horsham and her family in support, real human dynamos.”

For information about the Fire Fighters Charity go to www.firefighterscharity.org.uk