This holiday season, London Fire Brigade (LFB) staff have gone above and beyond to spread Christmas cheer, with firefighters and staff rallying together to support communities across the capital. Through toy drives, coat collections, carol services, and festive gatherings, LFB’s efforts have made a meaningful impact on many Londoners.
Firefighters from stations across London brightened the festive season for children spending Christmas in hospitals. Crews from Euston, West Hampstead, and Kentish Town fire stations revived a beloved tradition by collecting toys for Great Ormond Street Hospital, with generous donations coming not only from LFB staff but also from organisations such as London Zoo and ThirdEye Consulting.
Reflecting on the initiative, Station Officer Nikolajs Zakis from Euston Fire Station said: “With Great Ormond Street Hospital around the corner from Euston Fire Station, Blue Watch crews have the great pleasure of reintroducing a longstanding tradition of delivering presents on Christmas Day.
"The young people enjoy seeing us in our fire gear, decorated with festive accessories, and it’s a privilege to bring joy to them and their families at such a challenging time.”
Chelsea Fire Station also joined the effort, collecting toys to deliver to Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospital, as well as Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. Similarly, Lambeth Red Watch transformed their fire engine into Santa’s grotto to deliver gifts to Evelina Children’s Hospital. Meanwhile, Bethnal Green Blue Watch collected toys for children at Royal London Hospital.
Ilford White Watch worked with Firefighter Tony Gladman and his family to continue a tradition that has spanned a decade, collecting gifts for care homes, children’s homes, and hospitals in Havering and Redbridge. They also supported Women’s Aid, Age Concern, and Tapestry. Similarly, Bexley Green Watch marked another 10-year milestone, gathering toy donations for children in care and women’s domestic abuse refuges.
Orpington Fire Station embraced the season with a unique initiative, running a month-long pyjama drive for the charity Children’s Hospital Pyjamas. Their impressive collection of 123 pairs of pyjamas ensured that children in hospitals across the country will have warm and festive pyjamas during the holiday season.
Beyond helping children, LFB extended their care to often-overlooked Londoners facing hardship during the colder months. The Brigade’s longstanding partnership with Wrap Up London saw its most successful campaign yet, with over 4,000 coats collected at 25 hub fire stations across the city. These coats will soon be distributed to more than 100 charities, ensuring that vulnerable Londoners stay warm throughout winter.
Station Commander Paul Anstey from Paddington Fire Station praised the collective effort, saying: “Having been successful for five years now, this was our largest campaign.
"A huge thank you to all the stations and personnel involved—this couldn’t have been achieved without their hard work.”
In addition to the coat drive, Park Royal Fire Station lent its support to a local food bank, helping ensure that families in need could put food on the table during the festive season. Firefighters from Shoreditch Fire Station also pitched in by assisting with the preparation, cooking, and distribution of food for the homeless near their station.
The Brigade’s annual carol service at Westminster Cathedral welcomed around 1500 attendees, including LFB staff, retired colleagues, and external partners. The event raised over £3000 for the Fire Fighters Charity, Firefighters Memorial Trust and Children's Burn Trust, a testament to the generosity of LFB staff and partners.
Soho Fire Station also hosted a memorable carol event in collaboration with the Blue Light Symphony Orchestra (BLSO). The LFB Choir and BLSO’s brass section performed festive tunes, bringing cheer to the bustling streets of Soho. The event raised funds for both The Fire Fighters Charity and the BLSO, while visitors also received fire safety information.
LFB stations didn’t stop at toy and coat drives or carol services—they also opened their doors to bring local communities together. Acton and Bexley fire stations hosted Christmas tea parties for local residents, creating warm, welcoming spaces where older members of the community could connect and celebrate the season. At Sidcup Fire Station, firefighters from Sidcup and Greenwich organised a Christmas dinner party for seniors from across four assisted living blocks in the boroughs of Erith, Bexley, and Sidcup. Guests enjoyed festive entertainment, including a magic show by White Watch firefighter Terry Rae and a lively dance party led by volunteers from a local jive school.
The Brigade’s commitment to putting communities at the heart of the organisation extends to many other corners of London. Brixton Red Watch is planning a special delivery of gifts to children at Kings College Children’s Hospital, while Paddington Fire Station will deliver presents to young patients at St Mary’s Hospital. Stoke Newington Fire Station also engaged with their community at Stokey Winter Fest, raising money for Hackney Food Bank.
Assistant Commissioner for Fire Stations Spencer Sutcliff expressed his sincere gratitude for the efforts of LFB teams this Christmas.
He said: “I am extremely proud of all the work our teams have done this Christmas to support their local communities.
“From delivering gifts to children in hospitals to hosting events for older residents and collecting thousands of coats for vulnerable people, their dedication is inspiring.
"I’d like to thank everyone involved in these initiatives and extend a special thank you to the firefighters, control room staff, and fire and rescue staff who will be working this Christmas to keep London safe.
“The holiday season is always a busy time for LFB, and this year’s efforts demonstrate the true meaning of community spirit.
“By bringing joy to children, helping vulnerable people stay warm, and inviting local residents into stations, the Brigade has shown an unwavering commitment to supporting and uplifting its communities.”