SANDOWN firefighters are hoping their latest assignment will raise cash as well as temperatures.
Men from the Sandown Station have posed for a new calendar they hope will raise hundreds for the Earl Mountbatten Hospice.
The calendar features shots firefighters in various poses relating to their work. They decided to produce the calendar to raise money for the hospice because the partner pf one of their colleagues is receiving treatment there.
Firefighter Barrie Duff said he had been moved and impressed by the dedication and skill of Mountbatten staff who have been providing care form his partner Penny Hudson, who is battling bone and brain cancer.
He said: “I am not sure who originally had the idea of a calendar but the idea was one that kept being mentioned around the station.
“But the idea was in my head and after talking to a nurse while visiting the hospice I mentioned it to the fundraising people and they thought it was a good idea.”
Barrie said: “We discussed it again at the station and we all jumped at the idea. The hospice has touched so many of our lives and we just wanted to give something back.
“The hospice staff are fantastic. They are caring and friendly and nothing is too much trouble for them. But all that good service needs to be supported and that is where we come in”
The Sandown firefighters began to develop their idea and it soon found favour with chief fire officer Paul Street and Stuart Love, IW Council director of environment and neighbourhoods.”
Local businesses also rallied round offering sponsorship and local photographer Gary Early from Islandlifestyles 2020 organised the photoshoots.
Barrie said: “We wanted to come up with shots that were fitting of a professional fire service but also ones that would appeal to people as well. We hope the balance we have struck is the right one and that the calendars will prove popular.”
The calendars cost £5 and are available from Hospice Fundraising on 528989. Firefighters will also be selling them In St Thomas Square, Newport, on 15th December and they can also be purchased from Sandown News and many businesses around Sandown.
