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Sports camps are usually packed full of games and sporting activities
but children at a camp provided by Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust were
given an extra special day out at a fire station.
Children on the Multi-Sport Summer Camps, one of the many activities
provided by the Trust’s Sport Development Unit as part of the Hindley
Youth Project, were given a taste of life as a fire fighter.
The masterclass, given by Hindley fire fighters, included equipment
demonstrations, a tour of the station and an exclusive look inside the
fire engines.
The group of 8 to 11 year olds were also given a talk on fire safety and
shown images of fires, started by children, on two industrial premises.
The visit aimed to highlight that playing with fire is not only
dangerous to them but can lead to disastrous consequences for fire
fighters, local businesses and the environment.
Pete Johnson, Watch Commander for Greater Manchester Fire Service, who
delivered the talk explained: “It is vitally important to make children
aware of the dangers of fire. We tend to target children in the last few
years of primary school because at this age they become aware of fitting
in to social groups and are often faced with peer pressure.
“Our aim is to prevent them from getting involved in the fire incidents
which are caused by children doing what they shouldn’t. Hoax calls are
often made by children because they think it’s funny but little do they
realise they are putting the people who really need our help, at risk.”
Steve Hardman, Community Sports Coach for Wigan Leisure and Culture
Trust, who led the camp said: “It’s a great idea to incorporate fire
safety into our summer sports camps. The children are physically active
and so their minds are active too, which means they are more likely to
take on board what they are being told about the dangers of fire.
“The hands on approach made it really exciting for the children, as they
were given a tour of the fire station and got to handle some of the
equipment. They were lucky enough to see the fire fighters in action
when they were called out to a real emergency.”
A great day was had by all and the children were more than happy to
share their views. Ryan Winrow, aged 8, said: “Being at the fire station
was really fun. I learned what can happen if you mess about with matches
and you shouldn’t ring the fire brigade when you don’t need them.”
Patrick Jepson, aged 9, said: “The fire service is here to protect us so
we should help them by not playing with fire. Always remember, safety
first.”
If you see anybody deliberately starting a fire call Firestoppers on
0800 923 9999 or visit
www.manchesterfire.gov.uk For more information on the Hindley
Youth Project contact John Hill on 01942 486926 or visit
www.wlct.org
-ends-
NOTES TO EDITORS: For further information on this News Release please
contact Chris Dunbar, Media and Public Relations Manager, on 01942
486937 or at
c.dunbar@wlct.org
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust: Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust is a
charitable trust working on behalf of Wigan Council to manage and
support leisure and cultural facilities, initiatives and events for over
300,000 residents in the Wigan Borough. See
www.wlct.org
Getting Wigan Active: Getting Wigan Active is Wigan Leisure and Culture
Trust’s vision to help people across the Wigan Borough to become more
physically, mentally and creatively active. It also aims to increase
community activity and to encourage good citizenship.
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Steve Hardman and some of the children
from the Hindley community
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