Kenilworth firefighter taking on charity challenge to help causes close to her heart

She is raising money for two charities
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

An on-call firefighter from Kenilworth is taking on a charity challenge next month to help raise money for causes close to her heart.

Alison Insley, who has lived in Kenilworth since 1990, works full time for the Warwickshire library service and has been an on-all firefighter at Kenilworth Fire Station for four-and-a-half years.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This year Alison , on June 3, she will be celebrating her 50th birthday but this year will also be 14 years since her mother died - 25 days before her 35th birthday.

Alison Insley in her firefighter uniform. Photo suppliedAlison Insley in her firefighter uniform. Photo supplied
Alison Insley in her firefighter uniform. Photo supplied

Alison had created fundraising plans to raise money for University College London Amyloidosis Research Fund and The Firefighters Charity but the pandemic has meant she has had to alter them and postpone birthday celebrations.

She said: "I was going to cycle around all Warwickshire Fire Stations on May 8, 9 and 10 - I did a similar thing in 2011 when I cycled around all 34 Warwickshire Libraries in 3 days.

"My celebration plans were going to be a family holiday to celebrate both my birthday and our 25th wedding anniversary which was in April.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"This year will mark 14 years since I lost my mother - she passed away 25 days before my 35th birthday - so I plan to ride my bike for 25 miles everyday from May 9 for the 25 days up to my 50th birthday.

Alison Insley with her mother. Photo suppliedAlison Insley with her mother. Photo supplied
Alison Insley with her mother. Photo supplied

"Rain, shine, wind, hail or snow - nothing will stop me- except if I get poorly, which I hope I don't."

Alison's mother, Bimla Nakra, was born in India and came to England in 1965, she settled in Coventry around 1967.

Bimla died on May 9 2006 of Amyloidosis, which is a progressive disease which is caused by a build up of amyloid protein fibres in tissues and organs throughout the body which eventually causes vital organ failure.

Although treatable, the illness has no cure.

Alison Insley on her bike. Photo suppliedAlison Insley on her bike. Photo supplied
Alison Insley on her bike. Photo supplied
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Alison added: "I want to raise money for the hospital that cared for my mother during her illness (UCL) and for the Firefighters Charity who provide mental, physical and social support to UK fire fighters in need, through the coronavirus crisis and beyond."

As well as continuing her two jobs and fundraising Alison is also having to distance from her family because they are shielding.

"As I have chosen to continue working during the pandemic, I have not seen my husband or son (and the dog) since before lockdown, as they are both shielding, miss them all, but I'd rather they isolate now, so that we can be together in the future."

Related topics: