Suffolk communities help fire service raise over £13,000 for Fire Fighters Charity

From the end of May to early July, communities across Suffolk helped raise £13,216.38 for the Fire Fighters Charity by having their cars washed by Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) crews at special events held across the county.
Published: 27 Aug 2025
Jon Lacey, Chief Fire Officer at Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, Clare Delaney, Regional Fundraiser, Fire Fighters Charity and Ed Crawford, Firefighter and Fire Fighter Charity Co-ordinator, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service.
From L to R: Jon Lacey, Chief Fire Officer at Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, Clare Delaney, Regional Fundraiser, Fire Fighters Charity and Ed Crawford, Firefighter and Fire Fighter Charity Co-ordinator, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service.

This impressive total — smashing the original £10,000 target — was achieved by full-time and on-call firefighters at 16 stations, who together washed around 1,000 cars as part of a national campaign promoted by the charity, which provides vital physical, mental, and social support to UK fire service personnel and their families.

SFRS firefighter Ed Crawford, who also serves as the Service’s Fire Fighters Charity co-ordinator, is thrilled with the outcome: “I knew our target was ambitious, so surpassing it by over £3,000 is truly incredible.

“I couldn’t be more grateful to everyone who took part — whether you washed cars or donated money — you’ve provided an indispensable lifeline to firefighters when they need it most.”

Amounts raised at each station:

  • Brandon - £727.37
  • Bungay - £750.41
  • Bury St Edmunds - £841.12
  • Clare - £640.55
  • Elmswell - £530.00
  • Eye - £471.00
  • Hadleigh - £781.23
  • Halesworth - £673.57
  • Haverhill - £639.00
  • Lowestoft - £1,263.42
  • Newmarket - £861.76
  • Orford - £630.44
  • Stowmarket - £902.00
  • Sudbury - £484.36
  • Wickhambrook - £450.00
  • Wrentham - £415.60

There was an additional £1,154.55 donated via QR code and £1,000 sponsorship from Bury St Edmunds-based brewer, Greene King.

Matt Starbuck, Managing Director for Brewing & Brands and Supply Chain at Greene King, said:

“As a long-established Suffolk business, we are proud to support initiatives that benefit those who work and live in our home county. We are therefore delighted to have helped SFRS raise funds for a charity that is dedicated to firefighter welfare.”

Jon Lacey, Chief Fire Officer at SFRS, said:

“I am incredibly proud of the dedication and team spirit shown by our crews and would like to thank all those who helped us raise such a fantastic amount for such a worthwhile cause.

“This includes Ed, who I’d like to praise for his ongoing commitment to the charity and our corporate sponsor Greene King, whose generous donation helped pay for much needed supplies.”

For more information about the Fire Fighters Charity, visit www.firefighterscharity.org.uk.