Firefighters back brave Lucy’s charity campaign

1408022AM2 Lucy Morgan at Fire Station. Lucy Morgan who will host the fire station's open day on Sept 14th. with fire fighters Paul Swires, Rich Whiteley, Ian Anderson, Jess Bradley-Smith, Darran Smith and watch manager John Harvey (1408022AM2)

Lucy Morgan was left with severe burns on her arms, legs and face after a bonfire blast in March this year.

However less than three months after the accident the teen placed in the top ten of the Miss Leeds final, Lucy now wants to help other burns victims and has set up The Phoenix Trust as a non-profit organisation to raise money for burns unit at Pinderfields Hospital where she spent a month recovering.

She said: “ I want to be able to do something positive to help people get through it.

“I didn’t know what I was going to look like or how the recovery would work. It was a scary time, but I would like to help people through it.

“After seeing the children who had suffered burns and all the hard work the nurses do I want to do something to give back.”

Now the firecrew who rescued Lucy from the bonfire blaze will show their support and raise funds for The Phoenix Trust on their annual open day on September 14.

Firefighter Darren Smith said the blaze, which was caused by a barrel of paint thinners ending up on a garden fire, was quite shocking.

“It was a traumatic one as it was caused by a simple accident. Bonfires can easily get out of hand.”

Lucy underwent painful skin grafts and physiotherapy, and six months on she still has to wear a pressure garment. Despite her injuries she has re-enrolled at Craven College, studying medical sciences and hopes to become a nurse or paramedic.

The former Harrogate Grammar School student has visited the fire station and the met the fire crew who rescued her and now hopes to work with them and promote bonfire safety in the lead up to Bonfire Night.

Darren said: “She has got such an infectious personality and is a lot of fun. The lads on the crew really appreciated meeting her, it is nice to see something positive after seeing the injuries and the fire. She’s a good one.”

The Harrogate fire station open day is a popular day out for families.

Darren added: “The little kids love getting to look round a fire engine and meet real firemen.”

The open day will run from 1pm to 4pm and will include a car cutting demonstration and a tombola and raffle.

Lucy said her recovery has been going well, though she still has regular hospital appointments . She said: “I have stayed positive and done things I didn’t think I could.”