Fire Brigades Union members from across the UK gathered at this year’s annual conference to vote on policy and debate key issues facing firefighters. Around the conference hall, the union also has a long tradition of standing in solidarity with people fighting injustice and oppression.
This year, a unique FBU solidarity T-shirt featuring Paddington Bear was sold to fundraise for Care4Calais. The T-shirts nearly sold out over just two days, with delegates raising over £1,700 in donations towards the charity’s work supporting refugees.
The fundraiser was organised by FBU National Officer Tam McFarlane, who said: “the Fire Brigades Union has been undertaking practical solidarity and support to Care4Calais for a number of years and many of our officials have first-hand experience of the vital work that they do.
Firefighters have a proud record of undertaking humanitarian support and this initiative was another expression of FBU solidarity with people fleeing war and oppression.
Delegates to our conference made it clear that we stand shoulder to shoulder with the volunteers of Care4Calais and support the vital work that they do.
I hope that this initiative encourages FBU members across the country to find out more about the work of Care4Calais and offer them practical support and solidarity”.
Steve Smith MBE, CEO of refugee charity Care4Calais thanked FBU members for their support, remarking that "FBU members keep our communities safe 365 days a year and yet still find time to show solidarity with some of the most vulnerable people in the world. Care4Calais is proud to work with the FBU and we are eternally grateful for their unwavering support for our volunteers and the refugees we work with.”
“The popularity of their FBU/Care4Calais t-shirts illustrates FBU members’ commitment to fight for a fair and just world where all human beings are treated with dignity. Their financial support will help make a difference to the refugees we work with".
