Fundraiser to give something back to firefighters in Mansfield and Ashfield following spate of wildfires
Residents are being asked to dig deep to give something back to the firefighters who have been working around the clock to battle wildfires in the scorching temperatures.
Forest Town resident Natasha Powell has launched a gofundme page in a bid to raise cash to buy firefighters in Mansfield and Ashfield a much needed treat following an unprecedented rise in outdoor fire callouts over the past few months due to the heatwave.
Natasha is hoping to buy pizzas, sweet treats, bottled drinks and fruit with the money raised to drop off at the local stations in appreciation for all their hard work.
Natasha knows first hand how hard firefighters are working after having to call them out when a nearby allotment fire started to spread towards her home in July.
She said: “A bonfire on the allotment behind our house had not been extinguished properly before the person left and the wind was blowing and it was spreading quickly, if we hadn’t been home our house would have been destroyed, it was really scary thinking what could have been. Luckily me and our neighbours were able to blast it with our hosepipe and the firefighters arrived really quickly and put it out.”
Residents are being asked to give something back by donating to the page.
Natasha added: “Our local fire service have worked tirelessly over the last month, with their usual call outs and then all these wildfires. Firefighters have been out almost everyday tackling wildfires, the ground has been like a tinder box and they deserve a treat to say thank you for keeping local properties and lives safe.
"I don’t think firefighters get the recognition they deserve for the job they do, especially coping with the current conditions.
“I do appreciate things might be a bit tight but if people can spare anything at all, it will be gratefully received.”
Natasha is also urging local businesses to get involved by dropping things off at the stations to give firefighters a pick-me-up.
The plea comes after Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue declared a "major incident" on Sunday August 9 after being inundated with calls "placing significant pressure on operational resources".
On Friday, August 14, the government issued an emergency alert regarding wildfire risks advising everyone to not undertaking any activity that could start a fire, including disposable barbecues, firepits, garden incinerators, or fireworks.
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