08 Feb Gladiators Stars and Deputy Mayor Take Part In Firefighters Memorial Ground-breaking Ceremony
Gladiators stars Lee Phillips and Saracen, alongside the Deputy Mayor of Chelmsford Cllr Deakin and members of the The Red Knights International Firefighters Motorcycle Club’s England 4 Chapter marked a significant milestone by breaking ground at a ceremony for the future Firefighters Memorial. The event took place at the Living Memorial complex at Rettendon in Essex, home to a number of memorials to military and civilian services. Lee Phillips is a serving firefighter and Michael Lewis (Saracen) is a retired firefighter.
The ground breaking ceremony marked the formal commencement of construction for the Firefighters Memorial, dedicated to honouring the bravery and sacrifice of fallen firefighters.
Lee Phillips, serving firefighter and a referee on the current series of Gladiators, shared his thoughts on the occasion: “As a firefighter, I am proud to participate in the ground-breaking ceremony at the site of this future National Firefighters Memorial. This initiative holds immense significance for me, not only as a tribute to those of us who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service but also as a symbol of unity and remembrance within the firefighting community. It’s an honour to recognize the bravery and dedication of our colleagues, and I stand alongside my fellow firefighters in this endeavour.”
James Lloyd-Roberts, retired firefighter and senior member of the Red Knights International Firefighters Motorcycle Club England 4 Chapter, said: “Being involved in the development of this Firefighters Memorial is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our Red Knights members. We appreciate the impact that the sacrifices of our fellow firefighters have on both our community and our profession. This memorial will stand as a lasting tribute to the bravery, selflessness, and camaraderie that define our firefighting brotherhood, ensuring that their legacy lives on for generations to come. Having Lee, Saracen and the Deputy Mayor here to show their support means a lot to our community.”
The Firefighters Memorial, whose development has been spearheaded by the Red Knights International Firefighters Motorcycle Club England 4 Chapter, is set to become a poignant symbol of gratitude and remembrance for fallen firefighters. The ceremony marked the formal commencement of the building phase of the project and underscored the importance of honouring the sacrifices made by firefighters in service to their communities.
Having secured funding from the Fire Brigades Union, the Memorial will officially be recognised as a Red Plaque site. A crowdfunding effort continues in order to secure the remainder of the resources needed to complete all phases of the project. Supporters can donate at https://www.gofundme.com/f/37frz05vm0
