FIRE AID Chair, Jim Fitzpatrick MP, hosted a fundraising dinner in the House of Commons on 21^st October to help build resources for FIRE AID’s vital work to improve road crash response in high-risk countries. Present at the dinner were a number of companies and organisations making contributions to FIRE AID funds

FIRE AID Chair, Jim Fitzpatrick MP, hosted a fundraising dinner in the House of Commons on 21^st October to help build resources for FIRE AID’s vital work to improve road crash response in high-risk countries. Present at the dinner were a number of companies and organisations making contributions to FIRE AID funds and giving support to projects around the world.

Guests dined in Dining Room A of the House of Commons Terrace

As a former firefighter and Road Safety Minister, Jim welcomed guests and spoke passionately of the important role played by UK services and charities, who are the biggest global contributors of humanitarian aid to fire & rescue services. In countries like Tajikistan, where fewer than 11% of road crash victims are taken by ambulance to hospital, FIRE AID members are building capacity in local services to respond effectively to road crashes and save lives. Donations of needed equipment are part of this. Just as valuable is the time donated by UK experts to training local services and building their professional capacity.

FIRE AID’s Patron, the Rt Hon Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, endorsed Jim’s words, adding that the new Sustainable Development Goals agreed by the UN have set a very tough target of road casualty reduction that will need to be achieved over the next five years. FIRE AID members are contributing to that important work in an area often overlooked: the ‘Fifth Pillar’ of the UN Global Plan of Action relating to Post-Crash Response. As a victim of a near fatal road crash early in his career, he spoke from first-hand experience of the vital role played by rescue services. Lord Robertson encouraged those present to do what they could to boost FIRE AID’s resources and promote their good work.

Guests were invited to take a tour of the Palace of Westminster with Jim Fitzpatrick MP

FIRE AID Deputy Chair Emma MacLennan thanked all those present for their very welcome support. FIRE AID’s core sponsor, the FIA Foundation, was in attendance represented by Director General Saul Billingsley. Vimpex and Packexe Ltd – both companies working in fire safety and prevention – were among the dinner sponsors and guests along with Kier Group and IMC Worldwide – engineering companies working on many road safety projects around the globe, and Phil Rees, Road Safety Technical Manager for Shell oil company and David Ward, Director of the Towards Zero Foundation. Emma reminded guests of the reason FIRE AID exists – to reduce casualties in countries facing the greatest challenges. She gave the example of Moldova, where a FIRE AID project saved seven people in the first six months who would not had survived without the extrication equipment and training provided by FIRE AID partners.

FIRE AID welcomes donations and sponsorship for its work. For further information Contact Us