His Majesty The King accepts Patronage of The Fire Fighters Charity

Image credit The Fire Fighter’s Charity Website

The Fire Fighters Charity today announced that His Majesty The King has accepted the organisation’s Patronage.

His Majesty’s appointment, succeeding his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, marks the continuation of a longstanding relationship between the Royal Family and The Fire Fighters Charity.

Chief Executive, Sherine Wheeler said: “We are honoured to have been chosen as one of His Majesty’s charities and are immeasurably proud to welcome The King as our Patron.

“The Patronage of The late Queen, over almost seven decades, reflected the high regard in which our fire and rescue services – and those who work for them – are held by the Royal Household. So, I am delighted that we can continue to honour this legacy under the Patronage of His Majesty The King. We extend our deep gratitude to Him for his continued support and dedication to our work to ensure all those in the fire and rescue services community live healthy and happy lives.”

Chair of The Fire Fighters Charity’s Trustee Board, John Baines, said: “On behalf of the Charity’s Board of Trustees, all our beneficiaries, and indeed all those who work for our fire and rescue services, I am proud to welcome His Majesty The King as Patron of The Fire Fighters Charity.”

Queen Elizabeth II became Patron of the then Fire Services National Benevolent Fund in 1953 and retained the patronage for 69 years, until her death in September 2022. Over almost seven decades, she maintained regular contact with the Chair of the Board of Trustees and attended the organisation’s Golden Jubilee Celebration in 1993.

In recent years, The Fire Fighters Charity has maintained close ties with the Royal Household, working closely with The Royal Foundation, proudly joining the Emergency Responder Senior Leaders Board and welcoming Prince William, the then Duke of Cambridge, to its Harcombe House centre in Devon, in 2019.