Endorsements

-Sir Richard Branson
"What would we all do without the bravery of our firemen? Thank you to you all and to the families who have to live with tragedies like this."

-Lord Levene – Chairman of Lloyd’s of London
"I am delighted to offer my full support to the Atherstone Firefighters Appeal following the terrible fire that so tragically claimed four lives. The insurance industry has a long tradition of donation in the aftermath of events like this and I urge all of us involved in the industry to assist with providing for the families of those who have died whilst attempting to save lives and preserve the property that the industry insures."

Jonny Wilkinson OBE
"It is an honour and a privilege to lend my support to the Atherstone Firefighters' Appeal. No one deserves our respect and backing more than those brave, selfless people who put their bodies at risk for us every moment of their working lives. My heartfelt thanks and admiration go out to all those in this demanding profession and my sympathy and best wishes go to those who have been left without their loved ones. This Appeal merits the wholehearted support of us all."

-Dame Helen Mirren
"To The Atherstone Firefighters' Appeal...
How terribly sad that you and your community have to experience this awful tragedy. I send you my sympathy and thoughts for you all and especially the families. Firemen face danger with courage, professionalism and commitment to the saving of life and property. We owe them a huge debt as every day, all over Britain, they put their lives on the line for us, our homes and our families. The loss of four of these brave people in one fire is unbearable, a very sad reminder of how much we owe the Fire Service and their loved ones."

Frankie Dettori and Jamie Spencer
"We are delighted to have been asked to support this Appeal. We are reliant on the dedication of these brave firefighters and the fact that they are prepared to risk their lives to help any one of us at our time of need. These guys paid the ultimate sacrifice so please do all you can to help their loved ones."

-The Lord Bishop of Coventry
"Four brave men from the Diocese of Coventry died in the warehouse blaze at Atherstone-on-Stour.  I commend this appeal wholeheartedly to those from all faith communities and those who have cause to be grateful from their sacrifice and for the ever-present vigilance of their companions who care for our safety."

-Carol Vorderman MBE
" I have been working with a television company based at Atherstone-on-Stour for years, and have been there many times. The terrible fire on 2/3 November took the lives of those who were loved so much, and the pain for their families is unimaginable. Firemen are brave and their work unselfish. We think of them with admiration and gratitude as they would risk their lives for others. In this case, tragically they died and so their wives, children and their parents too will be grieving this Christmas. Please do what you can. You may not have known them but you can help those they left behind. "

-Professor Nigel Thrift,
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Warwick
"On behalf of the staff and students at the University of Warwick I would like to say how very sorry we were to hear of the tragic deaths of the four fire-fighters at Atherstone-on-Stour.  We offer our sincere condolences to their families and friends. The University community will be supporting the Appeal over the festive season."

Jean Christophe Novelli
"My heart goes out to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in this terrible tragedy at Atherstone. I fully support this appeal as it is a positive attempt to help assist those closely affected in trying to rebuild their lives."

-The Bishop of Warwick
"I am delighted to support the Atherstone Firefighters Appeal. The devastating effect of the Atherstone fire reminds us of the acute dangers confronted by firefighters on behalf of the rest of us and most especially of the need for provision for bereaved families. Please do support it."

David Suchet
"My heart and prayers go out to all the families of the brave firemen who lost their lives in public service and I fully support this wonderful appeal."

Patrick Stewart
"I send my deepest sympathy to the families of those brave firemen who, while serving the community, lost their life in the Warwickshire fire."

UB40
"We were all shocked and saddened to learn about the tragic events at Atherstone On Stour, when four brave fire fighters of your community lost their lives in the pursuit of protecting others.

We all owe a debt of gratitude to the courageous men and women of the emergency services and in particular the Fire Service. Every day these brave people risk their own lives unselfishly to protect the lives of others. Yet it is the bereaved families and loved ones that are left behind that also need our support.

We are proud to endorse, support and help the Atherstone Fire Fighters Appeal. We will be asking fans at our Birmingham concerts on the 20th and 21st December to give generously to this worthy appeal to help support their families and children at this time."

Paul Nixon,
England & Leicestershire Cricketer
"I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the families, work colleagues and friends of the four Atherstone Fire Fighters. It is a great shame that we only acknowledge the bravery of our Fire Fighters after a tragedy like this is brought to light. Please support this appeal for the families of these brave men."

Ocean Colour Scene
"This was a dreadful reminder of the risks firefighters take on a daily basis. Our thoughts are with the families and we urge everyone to give what they can to the Atherstone Firefighters appeal."

Dr Mark Porter MBE,
Presenter Radio 4's Case Notes, Columnist London Evening Standard
"You have to be a very special person to be willing to put your life on the line for the protection of others - dedication and bravery that warrants an equally special response from the public when things go wrong. We called on the firefighters for help and they responded, now it's our duty to return the favour."

Henry Aubrey-Fletcher,
President of the CLA
"We can only pay tribute to the selfless actions of these brave young men. I understand how difficult it will be for the community and their colleagues to come to terms with a tragedy of this nature, but we can perhaps best pay tribute to their memory by recalling with humility the willingness with which they were prepared to pay the ultimate price in the service of others.

We are proud to be able to endorse this appeal and please do pass our deepest condolences to all those affected by this tragic loss."

Martin Dunne,
HM Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire
"We owe so much to the devotion to duty of the Warwickshire Fire Service. The events of Friday 2nd November were tragic and remind us all of the dangers they face on our behalf. I fully endorse the Atherstone Fire fighters Appeal and would encourage everyone to support it."

 

 

 

  

-JK Rowling
" 'Selfless act of bravery' sounds like a cliché, but it is a true description of how the four firefighters at the warehouse in Atherstone-on-Stour gave their lives. The dedication and courage that all firefighters demonstrate on a daily basis is truly humbling. My sympathies and thoughts are with the families who have been left behind, and I urge people to support and give generously to this campaign."

-Roy Lawrenson,
Chief Executive Fire Service National Benevolent Fund
"The Fire Services National Benevolent Fund is the UK charity supporting firefighters and their families in terrible situations like this. We fully endorse this Appeal and the work it seeks to achieve in helping the families of the four Warwickshire firefighters we so sadly lost. We hope you will give generously to this appeal and share our deepest sympathies with all those affected by this tragedy."

Jerry Hall
 "Two of my brothers in Texas are firemen, so I grew up appreciating how brave firemen are to put their life on the line for others. My heart goes out to the families of those who died in the Atherstone fire, and I hope everyone will support this important and charitable cause, especially this Christmas."

Martin Johnson CBE,
Captain of England's victorious 2003 Rugby World Cup team
"This terrible tragedy reminds us all that fire fighters are the real heroes who put their lives on the line every day, and my heart goes out to all the friends and family affected by this terrible event. Please support this appeal."

Nicholas Scoppetta,
Fire Commissioner City Of New York
"As the Fire Commissioner City Of New York, I extend our deepest sympathies to the families of those brave firefighters who died in Warwickshire, England. Firefighting is a calling for the courageous and tragically there are four less British cousins in our worldwide community. We support the Atherstone Firefighters' Appeal and thank those who give generously to it."

Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor,
Archbishop of Westminster
"The fire at Atherstone-on-Stour fire was a terrible tragedy and I can understand the families are in need, not only of comfort, but of financial assistance. I am, of course, in support of this appeal and my sympathy and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones in such a tragic way."

Paul Weller
 "These guys deserve our unswerving gratitude - they serve beyond the call of duty every single day, but these four paid the heaviest price. I hope everyone will give whatever they can."

Annie Lennox
 "Firemen are absolutely heroic. They are the ones we call to run inside burning buildings, or houses, or vehicles. They are the ones we call to face the blazing inferno, when it's burning terrifyingly out of control. Our lives and safety depend upon their bravery, skill and professionalism. I have the most profound respect and gratitude towards them. We, in turn, owe them our support whenever they call for it from us!"

-Lord Hunt of Wirral,
President of the Chartered Insurance Institute
"These outstandingly courageous men went far beyond the call of duty and made the ultimate sacrifice.  Now we must not fail in our duty to those whom they have left behind.  I hope there will be a massive response to this appeal.  Please give generously."

Nicholas Evans
 "I grew up close to where this tragedy happened and send my condolences to the families and loved ones of those who perished. The world has few true heroes anymore but these fine, brave men were surely among them."

-Jilly Cooper
"Our vastly brave firemen protect us and save our lives, we in return must support them and in particular the truly brave Atherstone firefighters in the face of their terrible tragedy."

-Harriet Walter
"The work firemen do is often undervalued.  A terrible tragedy like the lives lost in their warehouse blaze last week suddenly reminds us of their bravery and importance.  It is vital that the bereaved families are not forgotten and one of the few ways their pain can be alleviated is by making their financial future more secure."

-Vikki Heywood - Executive Director of the RSC
"The RSC is very pleased  indeed to offer its full support for this appeal as the Company has had a very long working relationship with Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service  and in particular with Stratford Fire Station. Indeed the fire department of the RSC was organised and manned by local firemen for around 35 years,  until full time positions were created  in the Company in 2000. The company has collected £2,000 from its audiences and staff toward this appeal and our thoughts are with the bereaved families."

William Brown,
Chief Fire Officer, Warwickshire County Council
The Rev Canon David Capron,
Chaplain to Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service
John Wells,
Chairman, Warwickshire County Council
"This major initiative by the local community of Atherstone-on-Stour to support the firefighters and their families who have been affected by this devastating fire is warmly welcomed by Warwickshire County Council and the Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service."

Keith Bristow,
Chief Constable Warwickshire Police
"Warwickshire Police offers condolences to the families, colleagues and friends of those who died in the fire at Atherstone on Stour and welcomes all efforts to support those affected by this tragedy."

Grant Nicholas,
Lead singer of Feeder
"The bravery of our firemen today is undeniable. Their courage and strength in the face of danger is relentless. My thoughts go out to their families and loved ones."

Alan Pascoe,
Former Olympic athlete and London 2012 Committee Member
"Do support the fund as it's only in tragic times like this that we recognize the efforts - and sacrifices - that the Emergency Services provide every minute of every day. Putting themselves on the line for the greater good and protection of the community at large."

Lawrence Llewelyn Bowen
"I think, as a society, we criminally unvalue the debt we owe to the fire service and I personally feel deeply embarassed that it takes such a horrific tragedy for us to suddenly realise how much they give on our behalf."

Sam Troughton,
Theatre, TV annd Film actor
"Firefighters do an incredible and selfless job. Please give whatever you can to help the families of the brave men who lost their lives."

 

 

 

 
- The Atherstone-on-Stour Firefighters' Appeal