Firefighters bid to save home gets MP's support
By Kate Morley - 08/02/2010
After years of risking their lives and serving their community, retired firefighters currently living in Marine Court, Littlehampton, may soon be facing another threat: the Firefighters Charity, who own the sheltered housing complex, has announced plans to close the accommodation in order to build a therapy centre on the site.
Concerned residents, whose ages range from 62 to 90, have said that they love their flats and do not want to live anywhere else. One resident, Ernie Adams, said: “Some of our residents have been here twelve years... we came to Marine Court to stay until we are carried out.
“The ex-firefighters on this site and their colleagues helped raise the money for sites like this, directly from their wages and also from fundraising. Is this the thanks we should be getting?”
Nick Gibb, the area’s MP, has joined the residents of Marine Court in their battle. Speaking to Spirit FM News, Mr Gibb said “I’ve written to both the acting Chief Executive and the Chairman, I’ve been writing to them for the last few months, but I’ve now asked for a meeting either at Littlehampton or at the House of Commons so we can put to them the arguments of the residents at Marine Court.
“If it were a government organisation it would be easier to ask questions in the House of Commons, to raise issues with Ministers but several years ago the charity decided that it was going to offer sheltered housing for retired firefighters. They can’t now suddenly decide that that’s no longer their policy.”
A spokesperson for The Fire Fighters Charity told Mature Times: ”To enable The Charity to provide much needed support to an additional 23% of injured fire fighters and their dependents, the board of trustees has decided to look into the possibility of developing the sheltered accommodation units at Marine Court, into a third therapy centre.
“A final decision is yet to be made, however should this go ahead, then The Fire Fighters Charity’s prime concern first and foremost is to ensure the continuity and quality of care for its residents, and we would therefore work very closely with the occupants and their families to support them with a move to a home of their choice.”
However, Mr Adams remains unconvinced by the charity’s reassurances:
“Now in our twilight years when we should be able to enjoy the time we have left, we are being betrayed by people who were, or are, firefighters like we were. People we should be able to trust.”
Picture: MP Nick Gibb and Marine Court resident Ernie Adams