THE Blue Lamp Foundation is asking people support its work through text giving, this Emergency Services Day.

The Foundation chose March 1, St David’s Day, as Emergency Services Day, in memory of the charity’s founder David Rathband, to not only celebrate his achievements, but the work of all our emergency service heroes.

The Foundation knows that the public value the work of the emergency services and that they are there when we need them.  This campaign will mean that the Foundation is there when the emergency services need help and support after being injured in the line of duty.

Charity Chairman Peter Sweeney, said: “This will be the Blue Lamp Foundation’s fourth national Emergency Services Day and we want to ask everyone to join us in celebrating the work carried out by our emergency services, by donating a couple of pounds through text giving.

“We want to build on this day, building awareness and making it more successful, year on year.”

The day follows the example of the United States, which already has a National Emergency Medical Services Week, supported by the American College of Emergency Physicians, bringing together local communities and medical personnel to honour the dedication of those who provide day-to-day emergency services on the front line.

PC David Rathband was shot and blinded whilst on duty with Northumbria Police, on July 4, 2010. He had the idea of starting a charity from his hospital bed. His charity, The Blue Lamp Foundation, has gone on to provide emergency financial aid to cover the unexpected costs of emergency personnel injured in the line of duty.

In the last year, the Blue Lamp Foundation has financially supported organisations working to rehabilitate emergency services staff injured in then line of duty, as well as provided individual grants to emergency services personnel.

Members of the public, who want to join the Blue Lamp Foundation’s text giving campaign, this St David’s Day, should text a message saying BLUE01 £2 To 70070 (to donate £2) or BLUE01 £3 to 70070 (to donate £3). All text messages are free from all networks.

Peter Sweeney added: “We are very proud of our work in The Blue Lamp Foundation and are committed to continuing to deliver David’s vision for helping his emergency services colleagues in appropriate circumstances.”

-ENDS-

For further information, contact:

Sharron Ashurst, PR Director, 07775 801471 email: s.ashurst@bluelamp-foundation.org