The Fire Swim has taken place every year since 1982 and although the event runs smoothly, the work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure that there are no hitches is immense.
A dedicated team ‘The Committee’ make sure that everything is in place for the big day and that everything that can be done to make it a success, is done.
Their work doesn’t end there though, oh no, throughout the year they still have plenty to do.
Once the Swim has taken place they then have to put their energies into ensuring that all sponsorship money is tallied up and that due consideration is given to all those who would like to be beneficiaries.
Once they’ve agreed who is to benefit, they then put the wheels in motion for Presentation Night. This is usually held in the Spring following the Swim, when all those who are to receive an allocation of funds, or an item that they need, are invited along to a reception, as are the winners of the Fire Swim Trophies.
After Presentation Night you might think that there’s a chance for the Committee members to sit back and put their feet up for a while...... but no ..... it’s now time for them to start planning the next event!
In addition, they are constantly thinking of new ideas to help keep the event fresh, to publicise and gain greater interest in it and to increase the funds raised that can then be donated to worthy causes.
As you can see, it’s a never ending task, but one that the Committee are happy to take on as the rewards for all those who are involved and benefit from the event make it all worthwhile.
A dedicated team ‘The Committee’ make sure that everything is in place for the big day and that everything that can be done to make it a success, is done.
Their work doesn’t end there though, oh no, throughout the year they still have plenty to do.
Once the Swim has taken place they then have to put their energies into ensuring that all sponsorship money is tallied up and that due consideration is given to all those who would like to be beneficiaries.
Once they’ve agreed who is to benefit, they then put the wheels in motion for Presentation Night. This is usually held in the Spring following the Swim, when all those who are to receive an allocation of funds, or an item that they need, are invited along to a reception, as are the winners of the Fire Swim Trophies.
After Presentation Night you might think that there’s a chance for the Committee members to sit back and put their feet up for a while...... but no ..... it’s now time for them to start planning the next event!
In addition, they are constantly thinking of new ideas to help keep the event fresh, to publicise and gain greater interest in it and to increase the funds raised that can then be donated to worthy causes.
As you can see, it’s a never ending task, but one that the Committee are happy to take on as the rewards for all those who are involved and benefit from the event make it all worthwhile.
The Committee Members
Steve Kerridge - Chairman
Steve took part in the fireswim as a child and on joining Colchester Fire Station became a member of the Fire Swim Committee. He became Chairman in 2004 and does all those things a Chairman does! You’ll see him at the side of the swimming pool every year encouraging the swimmers and keeping a watchful eye over the proceedings.
Gavin Ellis - Treasurer
Gavin joined the Fire Swim Committee in recent years and became Treasurer at the end of 2006. He’s the one that keeps a count of all those donations and can be found at the side of the pool each year, or more often at the reception desk receiving your sponsorship money at the event.
Alison Bruce - Co-ordinator
Alison has been a member of the Fire Swim Committee since joining Colchester Fire Station several years ago. She’s your initial point of contact to book your time to swim and handles the administration side of things. You’ll see her helping out around the pool each year and she frequently has a team swimming too!
Al Smith - Photographer
Al has been a member of the Fire Swim Committee for many years and is our official event photographer. You’ll find him in the training pool each year taking your team photos, and around the pool taking ‘action’ shots! Don’t forget to smile when you see him!
Tony Lilliot
Tony has been on the Fire Swim Committee for .... well years! Although he’s now retired from the Fire Service he is still actively involved with the Fire Swim and you’ll see him each year at the side of the pool totaling up your sponsorship money and making sure you’re sponsor forms are noted with the number of lengths your team completes. Try not to splash him too much as you swim past!
Kevin ‘Kenny’ Lay
Kenny has been on the Fire Swim Committee for a number of years and, at the event, can be found either helping out at poolside, or more often at the reception desk. He is also one of our swimmers and in the event that a team loses a swimmer he’ll happily fill in for the missing person.
Jeremy Tuckwell
Jeremy (Jez) has been a member of the Fire Swim Committee for a few years now and is in charge of ensuring that there are enough medals at the event for all the under 11’s that take part. He’s also one of our swimmers and will fill in at short notice to help out any teams that need an additional swimmer on the day.
Mark Southgate
Mark has been a member of the Fire Swim Committee for a few years now. At the event you’ll find him poolside ensuring that the lane markers all have their marking sheets and a pen or pencil to fill them in! He’s also one of our swimmers and will join any team that is short of a swimmer at the event
Andy Stapleton
Andy joined the Fire Swim Committee in 2007 and is our Headquarters representative. He can be found poolside helping out wherever he is needed at the event. He represents Essex nationally as a swimmer and regularly swims at the event.
Chris Smith
Chris has been a member of the Fire Swim Committee for a couple of years and is now in charge of merchandise. He has, in previous years also swum at the event.
Craig Todd
Craig is the newest member of the Committee, joining us in 2008. He’s been thrown in at the deep end as the Assistant Treasurer, helping Gavin in the arduous task of keeping check of the sponsorship money raised and the donations given!
Nic Kerridge
That’s me! I’ve been involved in the fire swim for a number of years, and can be found either poolside or at the reception desk at the event. I’m the one who’s responsible for the website, but web design isn’t my normal day job so you’ll have to bear with me and remember that any mistakes are entirely mine! I hope though that you find it both informative, friendly and easy to use.
Steve took part in the fireswim as a child and on joining Colchester Fire Station became a member of the Fire Swim Committee. He became Chairman in 2004 and does all those things a Chairman does! You’ll see him at the side of the swimming pool every year encouraging the swimmers and keeping a watchful eye over the proceedings.
Gavin Ellis -
Gavin joined the Fire Swim Committee in recent years and became Treasurer at the end of 2006. He’s the one that keeps a count of all those donations and can be found at the side of the pool each year, or more often at the reception desk receiving your sponsorship money at the event.
Alison Bruce -
Alison has been a member of the Fire Swim Committee since joining Colchester Fire Station several years ago. She’s your initial point of contact to book your time to swim and handles the administration side of things. You’ll see her helping out around the pool each year and she frequently has a team swimming too!
Al Smith -
Al has been a member of the Fire Swim Committee for many years and is our official event photographer. You’ll find him in the training pool each year taking your team photos, and around the pool taking ‘action’ shots! Don’t forget to smile when you see him!
Tony Lilliot
Tony has been on the Fire Swim Committee for .... well years! Although he’s now retired from the Fire Service he is still actively involved with the Fire Swim and you’ll see him each year at the side of the pool totaling up your sponsorship money and making sure you’re sponsor forms are noted with the number of lengths your team completes. Try not to splash him too much as you swim past!
Kevin ‘Kenny’ Lay
Kenny has been on the Fire Swim Committee for a number of years and, at the event, can be found either helping out at poolside, or more often at the reception desk. He is also one of our swimmers and in the event that a team loses a swimmer he’ll happily fill in for the missing person.
Jeremy Tuckwell
Jeremy (Jez) has been a member of the Fire Swim Committee for a few years now and is in charge of ensuring that there are enough medals at the event for all the under 11’s that take part. He’s also one of our swimmers and will fill in at short notice to help out any teams that need an additional swimmer on the day.
Mark Southgate
Mark has been a member of the Fire Swim Committee for a few years now. At the event you’ll find him poolside ensuring that the lane markers all have their marking sheets and a pen or pencil to fill them in! He’s also one of our swimmers and will join any team that is short of a swimmer at the event
Andy Stapleton
Andy joined the Fire Swim Committee in 2007 and is our Headquarters representative. He can be found poolside helping out wherever he is needed at the event. He represents Essex nationally as a swimmer and regularly swims at the event.
Chris Smith
Chris has been a member of the Fire Swim Committee for a couple of years and is now in charge of merchandise. He has, in previous years also swum at the event.
Craig Todd
Craig is the newest member of the Committee, joining us in 2008. He’s been thrown in at the deep end as the Assistant Treasurer, helping Gavin in the arduous task of keeping check of the sponsorship money raised and the donations given!
Nic Kerridge
That’s me! I’ve been involved in the fire swim for a number of years, and can be found either poolside or at the reception desk at the event. I’m the one who’s responsible for the website, but web design isn’t my normal day job so you’ll have to bear with me and remember that any mistakes are entirely mine! I hope though that you find it both informative, friendly and easy to use.