FOUR DAYS BEFORE BONFIRE NIGHT, FIVE LEADING CHARITIES SUPPORTING CHILDREN AND ADULTS WHO HAVE SUSTAINED LIFE CHANGING BURNS WILL JOIN FORCES WITH LONDON FIRE BRIGADE TO CELEBRATE ITS 150TH ANNIVERSARY WITH A CHARITY GALA DINNER AT MANSION HOUSE ON TUESDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2016

LEAD Sponsor - Securitas

With special thanks to Securitas, Canary Wharf Group, Hawkins, Lloyds Charities, B Nokes Contracts, Aico Ltd for their sponsorship of this major City event.

The event will benefit five leading charities supporting children and adults who have suffered severe life changing burns, including the medical research charity, Restoration of Appearance and Function Trust (RAFT), who are the event organisers.

Throughout 2016 London Fire Brigade (LFB) has been commemorating 150 years of service with a series of activities and events across the capital, culminating in a charity gala dinner at Mansion House on 1 November. The event will be attended by leading organisations, senior decision makers and CEOs from across the private and public sector. Alderman Tim Hailes will be the Lord Mayor’s representative. London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson CBE,QFSM, FIFireE will be in attendance and Dame Sian Phillips CBE will give the opening speech on the night. The dinner will support five charities for their research and support of children and adults that have suffered severe life changing burns.

Every year an estimated 265,000 deaths are caused by burns globally. In the UK, nearly 8,000 people are admitted to A&E with burns related injuries. The five benefiting charities are the Restoration of Appearance and Function Trust (RAFT), Children’s Burns Trust, Burns Camps, The Firefighters Charity, and Children of Fire. Each charity provides support to burns victims in different ways, from the innovative burns research RAFT is conducting to the care given to poor families in Africa and rehabilitation provided to children in the UK.

London Fire Brigade Commissioner Ron Dobson said:

“What better way to conclude a year of 150th celebration than by raising money for such a good cause. The work these charities do with those who have suffered life changing burn injuries is very important and close to many firefighters hearts and that’s why a lot of our 150th community celebrations have been geared towards fundraising for them.

“We aim to have raised thousands by the end of the year and this gala dinner will help towards that ambition”

Leonor Stjepic, CEO at RAFT commented, “We are very proud of our long relationship with London Fire Brigade and our collaboration with these amazing charities that are dedicated to improving the lives of people who have suffered life changing injuries. I’m delighted we have gained the support of so many leading companies such as Securitas and Canary Wharf Group. Their support will make a significant contribution to the success of the evening”

For more information about London Fire Brigade and the 150 ^th anniversary plans please visit:
www.LFB150.co.uk

About the charities

Firefighters Charity www.firefighterscharity.org.uk
The Fire Fighters Charity is the UK’s leading provider of life enhancing health and wellbeing services to the fire community. Founded during the second world war to support the families of firefighters killed during the Blitz, the Charity today covers the whole of the UK, supporting beneficiaries in their recovery from illness or injury, or equipping them with the tools they need to manage their conditions and enhance their quality of life

Restoration of Appearance and Function Trust (RAFT) www.raft.ac.uk

Restoration of Appearance and Function Trust (RAFT) is a medical research charity established in 1988 to develop better healing techniques for burns victims, so patients recovered faster with less scarring. Today the charity’s aim is to give people who have suffered severe tissue damage caused by accidents, disease or birth abnormality access to pioneering new treatments that will significantly improve their quality of life, independence and dignity.

Children’s Burns Trust www.cbtrust.org.uk
Children’s Burns Trust is the only UK children’s charity working nationally to prevent burns and scalds happening to children, raise awareness of good first aid, provide rehabilitation and direct support to burn injured children and their families.

Burns Camp www.burncamps.org.uk
The Burn Camps Charity is there to help raise the self esteem and confidence of young burns survivors through challenging but achievable goals. Be it at residential camps or day activities. Sharing their experiences with other burns survivors and making many life long friends along the way.

Children of Fire www.childrenoffire.org
Children of Fire was established in 1996 and is focussed on providing support to children that have been severely burned in villages and townships in South Africa and other parts of Africa where medical facilities and ongoing support is extremely limited. Education plays a big role in preventing accidents and the charity is raising money to focus on this important area.

For press information please contact:
John Abbey abbeyj@raft.ac.uk on 0208 433 6793 or mobile 07730 65 8888