Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) Fire Cadets have contributed to an outstanding amount of community engagement and fundraising over the last year.

2025 marked an exceptional year of community engagement for HIWFRS Fire Cadets from across all seven units, as they took part in 48 community and charitable events, volunteering an incredible 3,031 hours of their time. From supporting local community gatherings to honouring national moments of remembrance, the cadets demonstrated commitment, professionalism and community spirit throughout the year.

Through their participation in community events and charity activities, the cadets helped raise over £18,000 for The Fire Fighters Charity, with additional funds raised for a variety of other charities.

This achievement would not have been possible without the extraordinary dedication of both Fire Cadets and their Volunteer Instructors who contributed 972 hours of their time supporting the cadets and the community. This combined effort reflects the passion and enthusiasm of everyone involved.

2025 was a year of diverse and meaningful community engagement and HIWFRS Fire Cadets proudly supported a wide range of local and national events, including:

• Fawley Emergency Services Day

• Burley Fire Show

• Pedal Car Grand Prix in Ringwood

• Multiple station car washes and open days

• South Coast Firefighter Challenge

• UK Fire Cadets Big Walk

• VE80 Celebration in London

• Portsmouth Pretty Muddy

• Cadet Activity Days

• Macmillan Summer Fayre in Christchurch

• HMS Collingwood Open Day

• Firefighters Memorial Parades

• 999 Day in Ringwood

• Ringwood Carnival

• Hythe Scarecrow Trail

• HYPER Event (Hampshire Young People Emergency Response)

• Law Sunday at Winchester Cathedral

• Marshalling at the Great South Run and Gosport Half Marathon

• Poppy selling in Basingstoke

• Eight Remembrance Day Parades

• Winchester Cathedral Emergency Services Carol Service

• Newport Christmas Carnival

• Ryde Christmas Fair

These events highlight the breadth of the programme, offering cadets opportunities to develop confidence, leadership and real‑world skills while giving back to their communities.

Mr Nigel Atkinson, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire; Patron of HIWFRS Fire Cadets said: ‘I am immensely honoured to be the Patron of the HIWFRS Fire Cadets and congratulate both the cadets and the instructors on another record-breaking year. The number of community engagement events attended in 2025 was outstanding, helping to produce a group of confident cadets. When I meet families, I’m always struck by how often they comment on the cadets’ growth and maturity, which they attribute to their experience on the course.”

Fire Cadet Manager Clair Hayward said: “We are immensely proud of our Fire Cadets, whose contribution in 2025 made a huge difference to the communities we serve. They’ve given their time and worked hard together to raise a huge amount of money to support vital causes that will help others.”

Volunteer Programme Manager Lee Joss said: “Every week our Volunteer Fire Cadet Instructors selflessly give their time to support the running of our Fire Cadet units. We are so grateful for their commitment and dedication in supporting the cadets to achieve their full potential. They teach and inspire our cadets, helping to shape future generations who give back to their community.”

Find out more about the HIWFRS Fire Cadets programme

HIWFRS is currently recruiting Volunteer Fire Cadet Instructors for their Rushmoor and Sandown units. Find out more about the role or  Complete an application today!