Firefighters Launch Fundraiser in Memory of Fallen UK Colleagues

Jersey Firefighters Rally Community Support After UK Tragedy

Firefighters in Jersey have received an overwhelmingly positive response to a local fundraising effort held in honour of two UK firefighters who lost their lives in a devastating blaze earlier this month.

Martyn Sadler, 38, and Jennie Logan, 30, were tragically killed alongside business owner Dave Chester during a fire in Bicester, Oxfordshire, on 15 May. In their memory, crews from Green Watch gathered in Royal Square on Tuesday, raising over £1,600 for the Fire Fighters Charity, which provides essential support for fire service personnel and their families.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Bryn Coleman reflected on the dangerous nature of the profession, saying,

“This incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks our crews face daily and how fragile our safety truly is. It also highlights the critical importance of the work carried out by the Fire Fighters Charity, particularly when firefighters are injured or worse while on duty.”

Established during World War II, the Fire Fighters Charity originally supported families of those killed in the line of duty during the London Blitz. Today, it continues to offer vital care and rehabilitation services to the fire and rescue community.

The fundraiser not only generated much-needed funds but also offered islanders the chance to engage with local crews and explore two of the States of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service’s (SJFRS) fire engines.

Mr Coleman expressed gratitude for the public’s response: “The support we’ve received from the Jersey community has been truly heartwarming. It reinforces just how connected we all are in our commitment to public safety.”

He added that the risks faced by firefighters in Jersey are comparable to those across the UK: “Jersey is no safer than anywhere else. The potential for tragic incidents remains very real, as history—and this most recent event—have shown.”