Interview with Natasha Mason, Regional Fundraising Team Manager, The Fire Fighters Charity
1. Natasha, can you give us a quick overview of The Fire Fighters Charity, why is the work you are doing so important?
The Fire Fighters Charity is the UK’s leading provider of services that enhance quality of life for serving and retired firefighters, fire personnel and their families. Their vision is to make a positive difference by supporting people in the fire and rescue community when they are in need. Over the years, they have helped thousands of individuals by providing high-quality treatment and support services. They have three centres in Devon, Cumbria and West Sussex, which offer a range of support programmes including physical rehabilitation and recuperation to members of the fire and rescue community in times of need. The centre in Cumbria also offers nursing care. Rehabilitation at any of their specialist centres is all about the whole person, recognising that sometimes how a person feels is just as important as how well their body works. Psychological support services are now in place at each centre to support beneficiaries as they progress through the physical rehabilitation programme. They recently started to help those who don’t have a primary physical condition but need psychological support.
They offer their rehabilitation service 7 days a week. They have also introduced flexible four, five, seven, or 10-day programmes which allow for a tailored length of rehabilitation stay – enabling them to fulfil their beneficiaries’ needs more effectively.
Their free, confidential helpline is available to all members of the fire and rescue community and their friendly team of advisors have been trained to provide impartial advice, guidance and support on a wide range of concerns. They are also available to provide practical assistance and solutions on a local level through their nationwide network of professional staff and volunteers.
2. How does your position support The Fire Fighters Charity’s mission and goals?
My role is to engage with beneficiaries and members of the public to highlight our services and to raise as much income as we can to support our services.
3. How can people reading this interview get more involved with The Fire Fighters Charity and help you make a difference?
It costs around £9 million per year to meet the needs of The Fire Fighters Charity’s beneficiaries and the Charity is reliant on donations and fundraising from the general public and the fire and rescue community to achieve this figure.
Whatever you can give, your donation can make a world of difference to the support we can provide to the fire and rescue community when they need us most.
Donate by phone: please contact our accounts department on 01256 366585 to make a donation by credit or debit card
Donate by text: make a £5 donation by texting ‘FIRE33 £5’ to 70070 from your mobile
Donate Online: you can make a donation by visiting www.firefighterscharity.org.uk
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4. Tell us a little more about the relationship you have with RAFT – how did it come about and how do you see it developing moving forward?
Our relationship came about from the London Fire Brigade’s 150th anniversary year as we are both a chosen charity for them to support.
5. Tell us a little more about yourself Natasha. How do you spend your time away from The Fire Fighters Charity?
I like to spend time with family and friends and my every growing family of cats (currently 5!) Now we live in the beautiful Wiltshire Countryside we enjoy cycling along the canal paths and going for long walks.
6. What is your proudest professional achievement to date?
My proudest achievement has been gaining positions within the charity sector. Before this, I worked in sales and although very successful became disheartened raising money for one or two individuals. Now the money I raise goes towards helping people in need and this is what drives me to do the best I can in my role.