The following extract is taken from the cover of "Out of the Flames", a book written by Neil Wallington (2003), telling the story of the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund, together with accounts of firefighters who have risked their lives for their fellow citizens and those who, following serious injury or illness, have been able to rebuild their lives with the help of the Fund.

"The Fire Services National Benevolent Fund's origins lie in the death, injury and suffering endured by the men and women of the London Fire Service during the German Blitz on the capital from September 1940 onwards. Firemen stood in the streets of London ready to face an unrelenting fifty-seven consecutive nights of pyrotechnic hell. Soon, the enemy air raids widened in scope as bombers struck at other cities and towns across the UK.

Before long fire service widows, orphans and other dependants were in urgent need of comfort and support at a time when state aid was minimal. Started from initial public donations of £24, the infant Fund was soon boosted by money given by American firefighters whose contributions eventually totalled over £30,000. At the end of the war, the Fund was caring for almost 1,400 fire service orphans on its books.

Since those early days, the work has grown enormously. In 1953, the Fund was honoured when HM The Queen became its Patron. Today, the FSNBF is a major charity providing a wide range of financial and general support services as well as running two large convalescent and sheltered care centres, together with a specialist rehabilitation therapy centre. The Fund is supported mostly by donations gathered through a variety of events organised by a host of fund-raisers and supporters throughout the national network of the British Fire Service."

Click here for more information on The Fire Fighters Charity.