Safety first as firefighters cook up gifts for Evenwood centre

FIREFIGHTERS embraced the season of goodwill as they gave the gift of safer cooking to residents in Evenwood.

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service donated two new cooking appliances to the village’s Cornerstone Christian Centre as part of their kitchen safety campaign.

The donation of an Actifry health fryer and a toasted sandwich maker was gratefully received during Evenwood Dementia Café’s Christmas party.

It came following fire service cadets’ involvement with the development of the new sensory garden behind the centre.

Bishop Auckland station manager Peter Maddison said: “We are trying to promote safety in the home and safe cooking.

“Nine out of 12 house fires are started in the kitchen in the Teesdale and Wear Valley area.

“It is great to see people use safe cooking appliances like these.

“The dementia café in Evenwood is a great community initiative and it is something which we are happy to continue supporting.”

Cornerstone pastor Sandy Gall said: “The appliances will be used by groups such as the coffee shop and the youth group.

“They will be used to help the community.”

Resident Ernie Malt, who is the driving force behind the dementia café, added: “We have been supported by the fire service right from the very beginning. We would like to say a massive thank you to them.”

For a free CDDFRS safety and wellbeing visit call 0845 2234221.