A 72-YEAR-OLD pensioner from Wolverley is proof that you're never too old to volunteer.

On National Volunteers' Week, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service is seeking to recruit volunteers to promote its safety initiatives in local communities.

Edward Cheshire, who lives in Wolverley, joined the fire service after retiring from a successful career as a business manage rin 2014.

He had big plans for his retirement, including a six week tour of Australia and a Caribbean cruise, but Edward soon realised he had enough time on his hands to volunteer.

Edward's brother-in-law had been a full-time firefighter, serving with both West Midlands and Devon and Cornwall Fire Service, so when Edward saw an article in the newspaper about volunteering with Hereford and Worcester, he was inspired to pick up the phone and enquire.

Following an interview and induction, Edward soon found himself volunteering 15 hours a week.

Edward said: “Throughout my career working as a business manager in sales, I had delivered hundreds of presentations which my clients always responded to very positively. It was clear that this was a skill I could transfer to my volunteering work, and within my first year of volunteering I was delivering fire safety presentations to schools and the wider community.

"I love this part of the job, however other volunteers prefer to be involved in more practical training exercises - the opportunities are provided to get involved in whatever way you can.”

In 2016, Edward was awarded Volunteer of the Year, clocking up more than 300 hours of volunteering time that year.

In 2019, he attended 54 community events including open days and firefighters charity events.

Volunteering through Hereford and Worcester Fire Service also supports training with other emergency services.

Edward said: “Once when we were role-playing casualties on a general service exercise when we were asked to head to Hereford General Hospital straight away to pretend to be factory workers involved in a simulated chemical spill.

"The staff at the hospital, except for the manager, were unaware that this was a training exercise so once we were sprayed with a fake chemical substance we entered the hospital reception and announced that we’d been involved in a chemical spill.

“We were ordered out of the reception, asked to go to the other side of the car park where tents had been immediately erected.

"We were sent to individual cubicles asked to strip off and be prepared to be washed from head to toe by the hospital staff.

"It was only then the staff were told it was a training exercise, but not before I volunteered to be the first one to de-robe!

“If you’ve ever thought about volunteering then I have no hesitation in recommending you do it with Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.

"You’ll meet great friends and learn life-saving skills that will set you up for any fire related incident and beyond.”

For more details on volunteering with the fire service and to find out how to apply, visit hwfire.org.uk/join-us/volunteers.