Fire service volunteers praised ahead of events

VOLUNTEER Kate Akkermans and staff member Rebecca Ellison

OLDHAMERS can sign up to help the fire service during National Volunteers' Week.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) is hosting a number of events during the promotional campaign, which takes place from tomorrow to June 12.

They include an event in Albion Street (facing Tommyfield Market) in Oldham Town Centre on Thursday, 10am to 5pm.

Existing GMFRS volunteers and staff members will be on hand to talk to those interested in joining the team of volunteers and about upcoming volunteer roles with the service.

Since the service's volunteering programme launched in 2008, more than 200,000 hours have been donated by volunteers.

Uzma Babb, GMFRS Volunteer Development Officer, said: "Our volunteers are fantastic and without their dedication and hard work we wouldn't be able to do as much work in the community.

"This year a special thank you event for our volunteers is planned for the evening of Saturday, June 4, where volunteers will be thanked for their hard work and commitment and a number of awards will be presented. Volunteers and staff from across the service have nominated volunteers who have gone above and beyond over the past year to help us select the winners of the awards.

"You can get to know our volunteers and co-ordinators at the events, and if you are interested in joining our team we will soon be recruiting."

Chair of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, Cllr David Acton, said: "We have hundreds of extremely dedicated people who perform roles in the community.

"National Volunteers' Week is about saying thank you to these fantastic people."

People wishing to join GMFRS can apply for roles can visit www.manchesterfire.gov.uk.