GMFRS Christmas film highlights need to help older people

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Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has created a poignant Christmas video - Christmas Wish.

The 'Christmas Wish' is about looking after older people this winter and features a young girl receiving a gift-wrapped firefighter, who helps her elderly grandmother.

The theme ties in with GMFRS’ new Safe and Well visits, which see firefighters visiting vulnerable people to address cold homes, social isolation, falls and flu this winter.

The video quotes Office for National Statistics findings that there were 43,900 excess deaths across the country directly relating to the winter conditions between December 2014 and March 2015.

As well as its traditional fire safety guidance, GMFRS is working with Public Health England and other partners to try and help by giving advice on staying warm and making referrals to organisations who can improve the lives of the region’s older people.

Chairman of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, Councillor David Acton said: “The film came about after a discussion in our corporate communications office about the impact of the John Lewis advert. Our staff noted that the themes of loneliness and cold homes fit perfectly with the work we are doing this winter.

“We are concentrating on helping vulnerable, older members of our communities. As the ONS statistics show, it is a very testing time for many of our residents and we are in a good position to help with our access to people’s homes.

“Our service is now carrying out much more than fire safety work and this video highlights the positive impact we can have in making a real difference to people’s lives.

“The actors in the film are all amateurs and either work for GMFRS or are friends or relatives of members of staff. We are very proud of it, particularly as it was done entirely in-house.

“By sharing the video and taking its messages on board, everyone across Greater Manchester can help someone this Christmas.”

The original song was kindly donated by singer Julia Mosley, who wanted to do her bit to help the campaign.