Welshpool is on fire!

 

And as well as receiving the Mid and West Wales Fire & Rescue Service’s Team-of-the-Year Award, youngster Carl Gannon was awarded with the Young Firefighter-of-the-Year Award, making it a memorable night for Welshpool.

 

The fire fighters annually name a charity to support and have handed over thousands of pounds already to the Macmillan Nurses and the Severn Hospice. This year they are supporting the Marie Curie Cancer Care charity.

 

Funds have poured in from events including the massively popular Spinathon and Midnight Walk to the bizarre Bra Appeal which saw donated bras strung up from the station all the way through the town centre!

 

Some of the lads were on hand to receive the award (above) to a standing ovation at the Service’s new Celebrating Success Awards at Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli.

 

Brendan McWhinnie said on behalf of the team: “This is a fantastic achievement not only for the Station, but even more so for the community we represent. Thanks for their unstinting support.”

 

Meanwhile, Carl (pictured left) was a popular winner having joined the Welshpool Young Fire Fighters at its inception five years ago.

 

The energetic youngster has progressed from being a Young Fire Fighter to becoming a Volunteer Instructor, a position that he has held for the past three years and missing very few drill nights along the way.

 

A Service tribute to Carl read: “Carl epitomises everything that is good about life. He is so positive in each and everything that he undertakes. He inspires others by the way in which he positively communicates and participates in activities. He is a first class example of somebody doing his very best for his local community. He is a fine example to us all.”

 

There was recognition for Newtown too, with station manager Steve Rowlands winning the Award for Innovation.