A FLARE for fundraising
Firefighting youngsters in Wellesbourne will be running a mile of hose to raise money for Sport Relief next week.
The charity fun run will take place at 2pm on Tuesday 16 March at Wellesbourne Fire Station where the young people will follow a trail of 139 12m hoses.
The ten young people, aged 14-17, are all participants on Warwickshire Fire and Rescue’s FLARE project, an eight-week long active learning course to help the youngsters develop confidence and responsibility.
Completion of the course also gives them an ASDAN activity award in Wider Key Skills by evidencing their development through FLARE activities. They had the idea to hold the charity event to meet the ASDAN module on working with the local community.
The group has already started collecting sponsorship for the run but are also seeking support from residents. Local people are invited to come along to watch the event, donate to the cause and enjoy refreshments provided by the young people.
Kyle Smith, aged 15 from Henley-in-Arden has enjoyed his involvement in the project, he said: “Getting the chance to organise this event ourselves by splitting up the tasks and working together to make it happen gave us the chance to develop some of the skills we have learnt on the course.
“I feel much more confident about doing things and have really enjoyed the challenges set by the fire officers and their advice has been very helpful. Next year I will be starting a public services course at college so these skills will be really useful to me.”
Moreno Francioso, FLARE lead instructor added: “Warwickshire Fire and Rescue are really pleased to be supporting the nationally recognised ASDAN award qualification for the second year running.
“All the participants have given their all to the Wider Key Skills programme which equips the youngsters with valuable and adaptable life skills such as team work, self-discipline, confidence and communication.”