Retired firefighter, Roger Moore – who has battled with PTSD since retiring from West Midlands Fire Service – has been presented with a prestigious award at The Fire Fighters Charity’s Spirit of Fire Awards in London today, in recognition of his heartfelt personal contribution to a national campaign promoting positive mental health.
Roger was presented with the Beneficiary of Courage Award at a ceremony at One Great George Street in Westminster today, after which he then joined other nominees and winners for a reception at No. 10 Downing Street that was hosted by Home Secretary, Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP.
The Fire Fighters Charity’s Spirit of Fire Awards recognise the support and dedication of firefighters and fire and rescue service personnel from across the UK. The event saw the presentation of 11 awards – including a Special Recognition award for Dany Cotton, the Commissioner of London Fire Brigade, for her contribution in promoting positive mental health across the fire service.
Falling in the 75th anniversary year of The Fire Fighters Charity – the UK’s leading provider of health and well-being services for the fire community – the Spirit of Fire Awards was hosted by BBC Newsreader, Nicholas Owen.
Speaking of Roger’s Beneficiary of Courage award, Chief Executive of The Fire Fighters Charity, Dr Jill Tolfrey, said: ‘Roger’s bravery, openness, and honesty in sharing the story of his own struggle with PTSD during our campaign of 2017 undoubtedly helped to raise awareness of the mental health burdens carried by members of the fire and rescue service. In the wake of Roger’s campaign video and the many press and media interviews that followed, we saw an increase in both donations and in calls to our helpline from people who related to Roger’s film and who felt compelled to call us, many for the first time. It is no exaggeration to say that, through his bravery, Roger may well have saved others’ lives.’
