Lending a helping hand to Hampshire communities
More than 50 local schools, charities and community groups in and around Southampton and the New Forest area benefited from donations of over £125,000 from ExxonMobil Fawley last year.
![Image](/-/media/unitedkingdom/images/fawley/fawley-selection-boxes-donation.png?usecustomfunctions=1¢ercrop=1 )
New uniforms, specialist firefighting
equipment and funding for training were all on the wish list of Hampshire and
Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service for its Fire Cadets.
And ExxonMobil Fawley has stepped in to help
them realise many of these wishes, with a huge £30,000 donation to the
inspiring Cadet scheme.
The Fire Cadets is a training programme run
by the fire service to give youngsters between the ages of 13 and 17 the
opportunity to gain essential social, life, work and wellbeing skills, and
develop their confidence and personal skills.
Meeting for two hours a week at local fire
stations, they take part in firefighting drills and first aid training –
getting to grips with real firefighting equipment.
They also represent the Fire Cadets at community events and
take part in fundraising activities.
They learn new skills like team work, communication
and leadership while improving their health, fitness and general
wellbeing. Completing the programme also gains them a recognised BTECH
qualification.
The contribution from ExxonMobil
will help to fund the purchase of Fire Cadet
uniforms as well as special protective clothing for firefighting drills and
equipment for the Fire Cadets and its volunteer instructors. It will also
fund the ongoing programme delivery, qualifications, activities and events they
are involved in.
The programme runs for 40 weeks, and there
are opportunities for some to progress to become Cadet Crew and Watch Managers,
where they mentor the younger Cadets for a further two years.
Karen Farr, the
Fire and Rescue Service’s Manager for Young People, said: “On behalf of the
Service I’d like to extend a huge thank you to ExxonMobil for this generous
donation.
“This substantial
investment in our Fire Cadets programme will ensure we can continue to make a
real difference to the lives of young people across our communities and the
volunteers who support them.”
And she shared
some quotes from two of the young people involved in the programme:
Kay said: “Cadets
has encouraged me to stand up for myself and I have learnt how to make sure I
am listened to. We have had experiences that most people won't get
the chance to have. The difference from when I started cadets to now is
stark, I’ve come so far. The instructors saw potential in me and enabled
me to become someone I can say I’m proud of.”
Aimee added: “I
love cadets because it challenges my skills and I enjoy it greatly. I love learning how to become a qualified
firefighter and everyone makes it so that you are confident with what I am able
to do and perform to the best of my ability. I used to be a shy person,
but Cadets has made me much more confident and outgoing. I believe in
myself now and I know I can achieve anything I set my mind to.”