Alison Hume, MP for Scarborough and Whitby, has described herself as “honoured” to meet some of the firefighters and farmers who helped protect local communities when the Langdale / Fylingdales wildfire was at its peak.
As part of her ongoing work to ensure those who put themselves in danger are recognised for their efforts, Ms Hume organised a coffee morning at All Saints Church in Hawsker to personally convey her gratitude.
Among those who attended were crews from Whitby, Robin Hood’s Bay, Goathland and Lythe fire stations, farmers who rushed to the scene to battle the flames and others who provided crucial back-up and support.
As well as Ms Hume, York and North Yorkshire Deputy Mayor Jo Coles was also present.
Ms Hume said:
“It is only because of the bravery of these people that there was no loss of life or property and that’s why I wanted to say ‘Thank you’ to them.
“I just want them to know that what they did has not been forgotten and that we are so appreciative of their efforts.
“I honestly don’t believe that everyone still truly understands the dangers they faced.
“I know that many of them are still facing huge challenges because this fire has affected, and in some cases nearly destroyed, livelihoods.
“The coffee morning won’t solve those problems but, hopefully, it did let everyone who came along know that they aren’t facing them on their own.”
Ms Hume added:
“It was something I felt honoured to do because of the lengths these brave men and women went to.”
The coffee morning was the latest in a series of events Ms Hume has arranged for those at the forefront of the operation to bring the devastating wildfire back under control.
Covering around 10 square miles, the scale of the blaze prompted it to be declared a major incident with fire services from across England drafted-in to support those on the ground.
Those stationed near RAF Fylingdales faced a further threat when unexploded ordinance was discovered on an old tank training range nearby.
Together with Ms Coles, Ms Hume visited the seat of the fire when it first broke out over the summer. She later dropped-in to say thank you to firefighters based in both Whitby and Scarborough and has raised the challenges both they and volunteers on the ground faced in Parliament.
Since then, Ms Hume has been pushing for compensation schemes available to flood hit areas to be extended to those affected by wildfires.
Ms Hume said:
“I’ve kept in touch with many of the people I met when I first visited the scene of the fire in August and I’ve been on another tour of the area recently.
“Listening to their stories only makes me more determined to speak up on their behalf.”
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