Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) in partnership with University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust (UHDB) has unveiled the latest fire engine to be wrapped in support of a community cause. The pink and purple wrapped engine has been designed to raise awareness of organ donation.
Each year, hundreds of people die across the UK waiting for organ transplants. By discussing your wishes with loved ones, you could help prevent these deaths and potentially help save a life.
Speaking at the unveiling of the fire engine at Swadlincote Fire Station, Derbyshire’s Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive, Gavin Tomlinson said: “We’re delighted to be supporting our partners at UHDB in sharing the organ donation message.
“Fire Engines are a prominent feature in our communities, so they make an excellent billboard to raise awareness of key issues. We hope by making people aware of organ donation we can help encourage more people across Derbyshire to talk about donating and help save more lives.”
Chris Fearns, Chair of the Organ Donation Committee at UHDB, said: “It’s tremendous to be able to work with Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service on this campaign to raise the awareness of organ donation. As a Trust, we are extremely committed to doing all we can to increase awareness of this vital cause, and a large part of this work is raising awareness within our local communities.
The law changed in May of this year to an opt-out system, so it’s really important that people think and talk about their decisions with their family and friends. This pink fire engine is the perfect opportunity for us to spread the message that organ donation is so important, so it’ll be great to see this engine out and about with another pink engine based at Burton Fire Station. I would like to thank Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service on behalf of everyone at UHDB for working with us on this project.”
The newly wrapped fire engine will be out and about in the Swadlincote area where it will initially be based.
You can learn more about the Organ Donation Register and the new opt out system in a number of ways:
- Call 03001 232 323
- Visit the NHS organ donation website >
- Text SAVE to 84118