Every year, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire Service puts on a special evening for the volunteers who have helped contribute to making Hampshire a safe place to live.

I joined other members of the Fire Authority Board at the Eastleigh HQ to witness the Deputy Lieutenant for Hampshire acknowledge their efforts with badges and certificates.

I don’t think enough publicity is given to the wonderful people who give up their time adding so much value to the organisation, whether it be coaching Fire Cadets, maintaining vehicles and equipment, helping organise events, raising money for charity, assisting with IT, Admin, Stores and many other things.

They put in thousands of hours and receive no payment. It says a lot about the Fire Service that some of them are retired Fire Fighters who choose to come back and do this work !

The Fire Cadets is a particular good way of giving young people an opportunity to expand their horizons, experience a bit of discipline, working as a team member, challenging themselves and improving their employment prospects.