Friday 30 July
12.00hrs
For 23 years firefighter Colin Curtis would often come to
the assistance of the people of Paulton during their hour of need.
But now the local crew is hoping the community will show its
support for the 63 year old during his own personal battle.
Since retiring from Avon Fire & Rescue Service in 2002, ill
health has left Colin, or ‘Joby’ as he is affectionately known,
with a severe disability. Almost housebound since his right leg was
amputated, his former colleagues are now launching a fundraising
effort in a bid to give Joby a new lease of life.
Although his wife Annabel provides constant care, firefighters
at Paulton Fire Station are hoping to raise the £3,000 needed to
buy the former Watch Manager an electric wheelchair that will give
him greater independence. The specialist chair will provide support
for Joby who had his leg amputated to the hip during major surgery
in December 2008.
On Saturday 31 July crews from Paulton and Radstock fire
stations kicked off the fundraising with a charity car wash. But
the main focus of the campaign will take place on Saturday 25
September when crews take part in a 12 mile sponsored walk between
Bath and Paulton fire stations and later that evening host an
auction and disco at Paulton Rovers Football Club.
The Fire Fighter’s Charity, which supports serving and former
firefighters, is also helping, providing funds to renovate the
ground floor of Joby’s Paulton home and the Fry Club skittles group
and other well wishers have joined in with the fundraising.
After joining as a retained firefighter in 1979 Joby attended
many hundreds of incidents. Everything from fires and road traffic
collisions to being asked to rescue trapped horses and dogs was all
in a day’s work for the firefighter who was also employed at the
former Purnells printworks.
His most memorable episodes include being in such a hurry to
arrive at a fire that he accidentally drove the fire engine inside
a burning barn; watching a runaway milkfloat crash into his parked
fire engine; and also a dramatic brush with death when he was left
buried under a pile of rubble when a burning garage exploded.
Joby still stays in close contact with former colleagues,
including friend and current Watch Manager at Paulton, Gary
Hillman.
Gary said: “Being a member of the retained crew at Paulton is
more like being a part of a family, so we are all so keen to do all
we can to help Joby.
“It’s no understatement to say that a new wheelchair would
transform his life. Just being able to go out on his own again
would make an huge difference to him, so I just hope that the local
community will support our fundraising and give something back to a
man who did so much for them as a firefighter.”
Tickets costing £7 for the disco and auction at Paulton Rovers
Football Club on Saturday 25 September are now on sale. For more
details contact Gary Hillman on 07789 397 646 or Zoe Escott on
07999 206 360.