Members of the Dumfries Lions Club visited the town’s fire station to present a cheque to the community safety fund.
The money, which forms part of the cash raised annually by the Lions Club through local events, will be used to buy specialist alarms for vulnerable people with impaired hearing.
Watch Manager Jason Gardiner, community safety officer in Dumfries, said: “I would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Dumfries Lions Club for this donation.
“It will be put to good use by helping protect residents who are hard of hearing and I know many people in the area will be grateful to the club for its fabulous work.”
“Local partnerships like this enable us to continue to support some of the most vulnerable people in the community and we want everyone to recognise they can make a real difference to preventing tragedies.”
Established in 1981 with the goal of helping the local community, the Dumfries Lions Club estimates it has raised more than £300,000 for charities and other good causes.”
Club members have organised a wide range of events to generate funds, with curling weekends, golf tournaments, raft races, coffee mornings, dances, auctions and race nights all among the initiatives held to benefit the community.
John MacColl, president of the Dumfries Lions Club, said: “We are pleased to be able to make the donation of £400 towards supporting the work of local firefighters.”
“This money will enable them to purchase specialist smoke alarms for installation in homes where there is a need to protect those with hearing loss.”
“We are able to make donations of this type because of the generosity we receive from the people of Dumfries who support the many fund raiding events, and I take this opportunity on behalf of the club to thank them.”
Firefighters across Dumfries and Galloway regularly take potentially life-saving safety advice and support to residents of the area.
Reaching those who are at highest risk from fire is always a challenge however, and crews want the public to help everyone access the services they provide.
Watch Manager Gardiner added: “It can be hard for firefighters to reach vulnerable residents so we need everyone to consider whether someone they know could be at higher risk of experiencing a fire within the home.
“Many of us look out for someone who is old and lives alone, someone who has health problems or who has issues with alcohol or drugs.”
“Anyone who knows someone who could benefit from a little support or advice should discuss fire safety with the person and put them in touch with us so we can provide the help they need to stay safe from fire.
“We regularly conduct free home fire safety visits to identify risks and help householders take some very easy steps to address them. “
“Of course working smoke alarms are absolutely vital devices for every property. By giving early warning of the danger, they buy crucial time for people to get out and for firefighters to get there.”
Anyone who thinks they could benefit from a free home fire safety visit is encouraged to join Scotland’s fight against fire and contact SFRS via the freephone number 0800 0731 999, or by texting ‘check’ to 61611.”
