It’s no game playing with someone’s life warns the fire and rescue service in its latest campaign

It’s no game playing with someone’s life warns the fire and rescue service in its latest campaign

During the spring months of April and May, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service sees an increase in the number of fires which are set deliberately.

Most of these fires occur on grassland, woodland, waste land, in fields, parks and playgrounds. They are usually started by young people setting fire to rubbish, grass, fly tipping, hedges and fences.

Not only do these anti-social behaviour fires cause damage to property, the environment and tie up firefighters unnecessarily but they can also cause injuries and deaths; what may seem like a bit of fun can quickly spread and endanger lives.

The Fire and Rescue Service is asking parents to support them by finding out what their children are doing if they go out during the lighter nights.  They want parents to back the campaign by making children aware of the dangers of setting fires deliberately – it’s no game playing with someone’s life.

Fire is unpredictable and dangerous, not only can it kill but deliberately setting a fire can leave you with a criminal record and scar you for life.

Please follow the link to view our short film which highlights that fire crews cannot be in two places at oncewww.twfire.gov.uk/lighternights The film shows a young person being dropped off by his mum to play with his friends in a park. They decide to set a fire which is put out by fire crews who also receive a call to attend a road traffic collision (RTC). A fire crew from another station attends the RTC whilst the local crew is busy putting out the rubbish fire started as a bit of fun. After they arrive to support the fire crew at the RTC the driver of the vehicle dies.

For more information on how to stay safe from fire please visit www.twfire.gov.uk or www.facebook.com/twfrs orwww.twitter.com/tyne_wear_frs, or search for ‘twfrs’ on Instagram.

Local MP visits Kepier

Kepier have today had a visit from local MP Bridget Phillipson, which was organised by Miss Booth and Mr Forsyth following a letter to Miss Phillipson from a group of our learners who raised concerns over the current situation in Syria. 

Miss Phillipson met with our learners to answer their questions on the situation there, and also discussed other issues raised by them about parliament in general, the planned EU referendum and the ongoing American Primaries. Mr Forsyth commented "I was delighted that Bridget took time out from her busy schedule to come to Kepier and chat with our learners. They asked some really pertinent questions, demonstrating that the assumption that young people have little or no interest in politics is far removed from the truth."

Sunderland Young Achievers' Awards 2016

Kepier were delighted to see some of their young people represented and receiving awards at The Sunderland Young Achievers' Awards 2016, held at The Stadium of Light on March 10th.

Our rock band 'Supersonic' opened the event, and Tom Smith from Year 7 was highly commended in The Music and Performing Arts section. Tom is a very talented boy who is living with a life limiting condition called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome which means only half his heart was formed when he was born.

This year he's played guitar and performed to 2500 people supporting Catfish and The Bottlemen at The 02 Academy and sang on stage with them. He's played with James Bay at T in the Park, played at Glastonbury and appeared on a charity single in aid of Syrian refugees.

He is an amazing little boy and a great example to others who is very deserving of recognition. Supersonic and Tom are pictured here, and Tom is also pictured with his award alongside a fellow winner on the night, his friend Daisy Swansbury.