GREATER MANCHESTER FIRE SERVICE SUPPORTS STOCKPORT CHARITY

THE grounds of the Seashell Trust charity and specialist college will be all the more green and pleasant in the future thanks to the handy work of volunteers and cadets from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.

A joint tree planting session was held at the Seashell Trust in Cheadle Hulme with the volunteers and cadets showing their determination to help their community and a flair for gardening.

The event was organised by The Rotary Club of Gatley, of which six members are also GMFRS volunteers.

They decided to get the cadets involved to support a local charity as well as making vital links between the volunteers, cadets and the Seashell Trust.

GMFRS volunteer Colin Edge said: “Having the cadets with us showed the public value of having these young people as a part of the fire and rescue service and the fantastic contribution they can make to their own communities.

“It was the first time the cadets had visited the school and it’s hoped that when the next planting session takes place later this year, the cadets can come and help the Seashell Trust again.”

On a recent weekend with a rare spell of good weather, the GMFRS cadets and volunteers joined 60 others and were each allocated a section of the trust’s grounds and each team was given 40 to 50 trees to plant.

GMFRS staff Adam Tormey and Kate Akkermans went along with the cadets to take part.

Dominic Tinner, head of fundraising at the Seashell Trust, said “Once again the community responded magnificently to our call for help.

“We are grateful to all the willing volunteers who turned up, especially the cadets from the fire service.”

Councillor David Acton, chairman of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, said: “This shows how GMFRS does much more than respond to fires – we aim to prevent fires and improve life for residents by being a part of their communities day-to-day rather than being there just in case the worst happens.

“Our volunteers come from a huge variety of backgrounds and really enhance the great work we already did while our cadet schemes are inspiring and providing valuable skills to young people.”

The Seashell Trust, which used to be The Royal School for the Deaf, has been established for many years and now offers education facilities for pupils and students aged between two and 19 who have severe learning difficulties.

Pictured with the cadets and GMFRS staff are Colin Edge, who is also currently president of the Rotary Club and Derek de Belder (both GMFRS volunteers) along with other Rotary members.

If you’re interested in volunteering for GMFRS or would like to see more about the volunteer partnership between the Service and Rotary, please go to /working_for_us/become_a_volunteer.aspx.

Source: http://www.manchesterfire.gov.uk