6th May 2010
Fire cadets help Sheffield youngster after brother’s loss
A campaigning Sheffield mum has hailed a fire service youth project for helping to turn round her son’s life, after his brother was killed in Afghanistan three years ago.
Nicolette Williams, from Shiregreen, says South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue’s Fire Cadets scheme has given son Jamie Bridge renewed focus and skills, as well as helping him to cope with a range of neurobehavioral disorders.
Jamie, aged 16, has been spending one evening a week at the Elm Lane branch of Fire Cadets for three years. Under the scheme, young recruits aged 13-17 are put through their paces by a team of dedicated instructors, learning firefighting skills and techniques and taking part in team-building exercises.
Nicolette said: “Jamie joined the fire cadets when he was 13 and the impact it has had has been tremendous. My eldest son and Jamie’s brother, Christopher, was killed in Afghanistan in 2007 and it was an incredibly difficult time for us both. Christopher was just 20 years old when he died in Kandhar.
“But instead of setting him back, since his brother passed away, Jamie has been incredibly inspired, driven and focussed and I am convinced Fire Cadets has been a big part of that.
“Jamie suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and lower end autism. Autism can cause some children to become fascinated by fire, which is potentially extremely dangerous. That’s why I contacted my local fire station and got him enrolled at his nearest Fire Cadets branch, in an attempt to do something positive with his interest in fire.
“Now Jamie has a more active social life and interacts well with the instructors and other young people, not to mention a better understanding of fire safety and prevention.”
Gavin Walker, fire cadet instructor at Elm Lane fire station, said: “Jamie’s outstanding performance and attendance since he joined the Elm Lane fire cadets, has led to him being nominated as cadet of the year for his branch. His story is an inspirational one and evidences the important role schemes such as this can play in improving young people’s life chances.”
Nicolette is currently campaigning to raise funds for a war memorial in Shiregreen Cemetery, Sheffield, to honour local soldiers killed in conflicts since World War Two.
The campaign, which was launched by David Blunkett MP last year, has so far raised more than £4,000. To donate to the appeal write to the Lord Mayor’s Office, The Town Hall, Sheffield, S1 2HH.
South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue’s Fire Cadets programme aims to educate, raise awareness and provide practical work-based learning opportunities for young people. For more information visit www.syfire.gov.uk.
Pictured: (left to right): Elm Lane fire cadets Alexandra Goddard, Jamie Bridge, Alex Farr and Leah Keegan
Date: 9th September 2010
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