Ok, this is tough but here goes. I was homeless for around 2 years when I was 15. I've spent years hiding it, but I've written about it because I want to tell others in that place that your start in life doesn’t determine where you end up, only where you start
#theheatofthemoment
Happy
#InternationalCatDay
, kitty lovers! Here is a gratuitous picture my favourite cat cuddle...the one and only, completely gorgeous
@Number10cat
. I'm still picking his fur off my uniform but it was SO worth it 😻
This is my AWESOME brother, Leon. He's an aneasthetist. He's on the NHS frontline. He had to send his pregnant wife to stay with family for the foreseeable while he works. He doesnt know when he'll get to see her again. Let that sacrifice sink in. For heavens sake
#StayAtHome
OMG...OMG...OMG...
@KathyBurke
knows who I am! Play it cool, trigger...play it cool 😁😁😁
Seriously though...now I've stopped hyperventilating, thank you so much for taking the time out to share such a lovely message...You have quite literally made my whole week 😍
This arrived at the office from two people who bought
@BigIssue
from me when I was 16. I can't begin to describe the significance of this, arriving here, now. Its a life I didnt even dare to dream of. Thank you both for giving me hope (though now I have something in my eye)
We lose 12 men to suicide each day. Today one was a man who I trained with, worked with and respected. Please dont tell anyone to man up or to keep their feelings in. If you're struggling, please remember - you deserve to be here, you are loved, please talk. Please💔
#firefamily
I am absolutely delighted to join West Sussex as their Chief Fire Officer. It is both an honour and a privilege and I'm looking forward to working with the dedicated staff who work so hard to keep everyone safe.
Despite what we've seen in recent times, our lights have been burning for 4000 years. They will not be blown out by hate. Here's to our inner Maccabees 🕎 Happy 5th night of Hannuka🕎
🌞's out! But remember, if it's too hot for your bare feet, it's too hot for their paws...even for Fire dogs! Make it early walkies, or an evening stroll instead 🐶
Here you go, Pat, I fixed it for you. Just in case you didn't realise it wasn't 1950 anymore. You're welcome 🙂
And to that Police Officer, thank you for your service.
'Look how a single candle can both define and defy the darkness' - Ann Frank.
It didn't start with murder. It started with division. With 'us' and 'them'. It's a choice to stand against hatred.
#LightTheDarkness
#HolocaustMemorialDay
I am so delighted to be announced as the 2020 Woman of Distinction by
@Jewish_Care
. Its such an honour and I feel so humbled to have even been considered, let alone named. Thank you so much! 🥰
This account is well worth a follow. Not only does it replace the numbers with names but it spins a whole new perspective. This man was 36 when he was murdered. The same age as me. I cant even imagine how it must have been to live then. Chaskel Bittner. Remember his name. ❤
3 June 1942 | Among 68 Poles transferred by the Germans to
#Auschwitz
form Montelupich prison in Cracow was a Jew Chaskel Bittner. He was a farmer born in Gdów on 26 February 1906. He received no. 37249. He perished in the camp on 26 June 1942.
Today marks my final day with
@LondonFire
. The last 5 years have been incredible - I've laughed, I've cried, and I've made some of the best friends I could wish for. Thank you for one of the best chapters of my life...now I'm so excited to start a new one with
@WestSussexFire
🔥
21 years ago I was interviewed in this very room in
@SWFireandRescue
old HQ, now
@LanelayHallUK
. After an excruciating wait I was called back in to be told I was going to be a firefighter. I skipped out grinning, a bit like this and I've never looked back 🚒
If its your first day back in the office in 2020 - welcome back! Please spare a thought for all of our front line workers - fire, medics, police and military - who've been on duty over the festive period keeping us safe. Thank you for your service! 🙏
I'm so honoured to share that today
@RoyalHolloway
@UoLondon
conferred upon me the Degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa). The flowers are the suffragette colours.
@RoyalHolloway
was founded as a college for women in 1886 - 42 yrs before the vote! Let that sink in a moment!
A big thank you to everyone who has been so kind after watching
@BBC
Sunday Morning Stories today. Like many other Jews, I've experienced antisemitism over the last few weeks. Sharing the strength I've gained from both my religion and ethnicity was just the lift I needed ✡
Well that was a pretty cool suprise! This was.juat a question on
@richardosman
House of Games! My 10 year old is now on full excitement mode, bouncing around the living room 😁
It was such a pleasure to present the incredible
@samanthajane66
with a Lifetime Achievement Award today
@LittlehamptonFS
. Sam was
@WestSussexFire
's first woman firefighter and has just completed 30 yrs of service. Her legacy is exceptional.
👏👏👏
Today is only the 2nd Xmas in my little girls life that both Mum and Dad are off duty on Xmas day. While my heart is skipping a beat, my thoughts are with all the frontline workers giving service today to keep us safe - and their families who sacrifice their presence for us 🙏
I'm asking those who’ve served their community as NHS, Police, Fire or other key worker to join the challenge of posting a picture of yourself in uniform. Just a picture, no description. The goal is to flood Twitter with positive photos instead of negativity 💙🔥💙
#worldbookday
is one of my favourite days in the calendar. This year was the most heartwarming and humbling for me, when my little girl said 'Mummy, I want to go as you'. It made every single hour of writing and every single sacrifice TOTALLY worth it!
I'm not crying...honest...
I'm so humbled to be nominated for this. When I joined fire 20 years ago, only 1% of operational firefighters were women. It fills me with such pride to be on a shortlist with other incredible women doing incredible things...all of whom lift as they climb. Good luck ladies ❤
I'm BEYOND EXCITED to tell you all that I'm on
#desertislanddiscs
on
@BBCRadio4
this Sunday - 29th Sept - at 11.15. It was the most personal, humbling and emotional interview I've ever done -
@laurenlaverne
was just incredible. I can't wait to hear what you all think! 🔥🔥🔥
What could be more uplifting on a rainy day than a reception
@10downingstreet
to celebrate
#internationalwomensday
...surrounded by inspiring women and inspiring stories...all topped off with a cuddle from Larry the Cat! 😻
@HannahMeIDD8P
@FDNY
@fire_scot
Hi Molly,
It's been a few years since I've driven one of these, but it used to be one of my favourite parts of the job! If you have a dream that sets your heart on fire, chase it fearlessly and never give up! 🔥❤🔥
Happy 98th birthday to my beautiful Grandmother 😍! A true inspiration, surviving persecution, anti-semitic violence and a new life as a refugee, the only consistent being your empathy and compassion. Always my morroccan queen, my matriarch and the woman I aspire to be like ❤
Honest moment. Lockdown has been tough. But it takes tough times to help you reflect on things - and people - you take for granted...like amazing teachers, the NHS, our health and the people we love. Spending time with this little one has been my silver lining. Whats been yours?
I'll be clear. 21st century buildings should NOT burn this way. Change is urgently required. Well done to all at
@manchesterfire
- that would have been an exhausting job. To those who lost their possessions, accommodation and treasured memories...we're sorry you experienced this.
This is the fire that engulfed student accommodation in Bolton, Greater Manchester.
Two people were injured in the blaze - more on the
#Boltonfire
here:
As the proud daughter of an immigrant...who once didnt have a home...who is now privileged enough to wear a firefighters uniform...I cant describe how much it means that my daughter now thinks it's normal for firefighters to grace the pages of
@marieclaireuk
...just wow ❤❤❤
When life gives you a rainy day, go out there and jump in a puddle. But not in your best uniform. I understand now that was a mistake 🤭
But seriously, life will never be perfect...that doesn’t mean we should give up on making it a little better on a rainy day ❤️
This is the first time in YEARS I've been able to read the papers without being jumped on by an excited little one shouting "Mum! Mum!"
Catch me reviewing the papers on
@BBCBreakfast
this morning 🔥❤🔥
The humanity on
@MarcusRashford
's timeline is overwhelming. 4 million UK children live in poverty and rising. I was a free school meal kid. I remember hungry holidays. Every single person inspired to help is making a difference, one belly at a time
#ENDCHILDFOODPOVERTY
Happy
#IWD2021
Thinking of all of the amazing women who came before me who
#ChoseToChallenge
and fought so hard for the rights we now take for granted. And here's to the men who recognised it, supported it and continue to be our allies, our brothers and our friends ❤
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them. From your brothers and sisters in fire.
#RemembranceSunday
#LestWeForget
Oh my DAYS!!! SO thrilled to be named as one of
@marieclaireuk
's "Future Shapers" of 2019! I feel honoured, humbled and IMMENSELY privileged! Never had I ever envisaged a firefighter would grace the pages of
@marieclaireuk
- this is definitely one of my favourite firsts! 🔥❤🔥❤
My increadible Safta (Grandmother) has taught me so much...including the joy of dipping Matzos in coffee (seriously, thank me later). My 99 year old Moroccan queen, I will be raising a mofletta in your honour when we celebrate Mimona tonight ❤
Thread: So...today I was awarded chartered psychologist status by
@BPSOfficial
. I first became a Firefighter nearly two decades ago with no qualifications. All of my study - up to PhD + subsequent research - has been done while serving full time and trying to balance being a Mum
Meet the latest additions to our fleet! 🚒
✅ Narrower
✅ Shorter
✅ Tighter turning circle which makes manoeuvring easier
The 7⃣ new fire engines have joined our fleet and will be stationed at five fire stations across the county. More here:
I'm sorry...for the next few weeks there may be many gratuitous puppy pictures appearing on this timeline...
I'm giving advanced warning as anyone who doesn't like dogs may wish to unfollow now 🤭🐾🐶❤
This made me so proud! During lockdown
@firefighters999
fundraising has taken a real hit. The good people
@WestSussexFire
have stepped up to help...and guess what...together, they've raised £80,640!!! That's a lot of people that can be helped as a result. Amazing job!!! 👏👏👏
1st jab, done! 😁 You might not be able to see under the mask, but I'm grinning from ear to ear! Thank you to all the incredible
@NHS
vaccination centre staff & volunteers who are making this possible. You're changing the world! 🌍
I'm feeling really greatful for this little guy under
#lockdown
. Our walks help keep some semblance normality in these curious times...sometimes you never know the value of a moment before it becomes a memory.
What's been keeping you going this
#lockdown
?
Fitness test...done! We ask Firefighters to go into extreme environments. Taking care of our fitness is as important as taking care of our skills. As someone once told me "train hard today...you don't know what you'll ask of your body tomorrow" 👟👟👟
Today
@WestSussexFire
flags are flying at half mast as we remember
a much loved and highly respected colleague, WM Simon Constable. Our thoughts are with his family and friends, especially collegues at
@CrawleyFire999
who I know will be missing him deeply today.
There are lots of Dads that can't celebrate
#fathersday
today - either because they're on duty keeping us safe, or because their final shift came too soon. Mine is the latter. Life is fragile. Treasure him while you can, dont fight over stupid things and cherish every day. ❤
#20yearoldme
challenge. My 2nd year of service and things were already so different. Fast fwd to today and it would have been unimaginable back then. No matter how far the journey, just focus on the next step...and if it's a different destination, smile and enjoy it anyway🔥🔥🔥
Really stoked with the reaction to the
@BBCTheOneShow
piece! Thanks for all the lovely messages, and of course, to the brilliant
@RavWilding
and
@ChichesterFire
🔥
Interesting fact - my tie is a school tie, sized 9-10 years. First tie thats ever fitted. Weird...but true🤷♀️
Loved spending
#IWD2020
@LittlehamptonFS
watching history being made, as an all-female crew was on duty for the first time in
@WestSussexFire
. A big shout out to WM Beth Parry-Evans for arranging it! 🔥
Today I had a call to say my beautiful, sweet, kind, loving cousin committed suicide. The sadness we feel as a family is indescribable. More than just saying to you 'it's ok not to be ok', I am taking this pledge. I would implore you to do the same...It might just save a life 💔
If I get a cuddle like this for every new grey hair from home schooling, I'd say it was worth it! I'm grateful for all the teachers out there using their super powers to keep our kids on track in tough times. Kudos to you all 👨🏫👩🏫
#lockdown
Tell that to the thousands of decent public servants who happen to be women, currently working on the front line in uniforms of various colours, who are keeping people in this country safe. The misogyny on this platform today is astonishing.
I'm deeply saddened for the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. I am in awe of her 70 years of loyal and dignified public service. A constant in British life for decades, she stood for something much greater than herself. May her memory be a blessing.
Wow! Just wow! I'm so humbled to receive the
@AsianFSA
Shining Light award! It's been such a privilege to be involved with such a supportive and progressive group - the change AFSA has achieved is phenomenal. Thank you! ❤🔥❤🔥
We're always on the look out for new ops tactics and equipment. We've been trialing fire blankets for car fires as an option for dealing with fires in Electric Vehicles, whilst reducing the environmental impact from contaminated water. More to do but it's looking interesting🚒
I know it looks like a new front door pic, but don't worry, we're not moving in! We had an incredible visit and we're so thankful to the team at No 10. Gabby was particularly greatful for her cuddle with
@Number10cat
(as was I 😻...just don't tell the doggo's 🤫)
I took Luther on a doggy date night. Just me, him, and a complete absence of human company. As much as I like people, I strongly feel its time to normalise taking a dog as a plus one.
Looking forward to Monday when I join
@SurreyFRS
on secondment as their Deputy Chief. I've already met some incredible, dedicated staff who care passionatley about the Service, and I'm looking forward to meeting many, many more. See you on Monday, peeps! 👩🚒
I never imagined I would be strolling these corridors out of uniform...and definitely not with a dinner reservation rather than fighting for a seat in the mess hall. It'll always have a special place in my heart as my first HQ, where I was given my first chance
@LanelayHallUK
🚒
Was SO great to speak at
#oustudents20
about the power of "different". I did my psych degree with
@OpenUniversity
& the foundations it gave me for my PhD were solid. Don't be afraid of doing something differently - it's your super power! Enjoy the wonderful
@ProfBrianCox
later!
Wow! This is SO lovely! Can't believe mine made the DID pick 🥰🥰🥰
@laurenlaverne
Desert Island Discs: 9 of the most moving episodes, picked by
@StylistMagazine
This. Is. Real.
These are mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers. Stop mingling. Respect social distancing. It's not a restriction on your freedom, it's a chance to save a life. Take it. And please, please stop panic buying. Our lifesavers need to eat at the end of a long shift.
"They are fighting a war here and they are losing."
Chief correspondent
@RamsaySky
reports from a hospital in the Italian city worst-hit by the
#coronavirus
pandemic.
More from inside the hospital here:
The human cost unfolding in
#Ukraine
is utterly horrifying. Firefighting is hard enough, but our
#firefamily
there are answering the call in a war zone. Saving who they can, and what they can, when they can. They have the hearts of lions. Thoughts from us all
@WestSussexFire
So proud of my girl. On the train, a group of boys were bugging her for her number. Despite declining, they continued. So she smiled sweetly and announced "this is my stop" (it wasn't), and hopped off the train to get away from them. She felt uncomfortable. She'd already said no.
Thoughts today are reserved for the 72 victims of the Grenfell Tower Fire, their loved ones and the brave survivors for whom life will never be the same.
#GoGreenForGrenfell
at 10.30pm. More info here 👉
We SO love a Dan & Louise day! Had such a great time on
@bbcbreakfast
with
@mrdanwalker
and
@louiseminchin
! Thanks for making me feel so welcome ❤
Also very proud of myself for not accidentally swearing on breakfast TV! Thanks for the stern briefing
@BeckyShort1
🤣
Lots of us are on duty over the holidays, many will be having Xmas dinners at funny times of the day, some won't get any at all. Where ever you are, stay safe and I hope you get to raise a glass (of some description) at some point today with those you love.
This is so simple but so powerful. This brewery is letting people who are experiencing homelessness use its address to register to vote. Truely inspired move
@BrisBeerFactory
👏👏👏
Such an honour to be asked to talk at Buckingham Palace for the Gold
@DofW
Awards. So impressed and inspired to hear stories of such resilience and determination from the recipients. And the rain just made it a Great British experience! Congratulations to you all!
Today we remember our
#firefamily
who gave their lives so that others could survive. Please join us in a minutes silence at midday today as we honour them. Thoughts, especially, are with the families and loved ones of those lost ❤
#FMD2020
To be BORN Welsh is to be born with privilege...
Not with a silver spoon in your mouth
But with Fire in your blood
And poetry in your soul
Cymru am byth!
#WALvENG
💔 🏉🏴
I might be heartbroken, but what an effort, Wales!
Wishing 🏴 well for the final. Sending you some dragon 🔥 and hope you bring the silverware back to the home nations 🤞
#WALvRSA
I've swapped auditoriums for webinars, either way, I love talking to readers. I wrote
#theheatofthemoment
to share lessons from firefighting & research about how our brains work under pressure. We're all human, all wired the same way. Thank you to all who've been a part of it🙏
Today marks the 5th anniversary of the Grenfell Tower tragedy. My thoughts are with the 72 people lost and those who are missing them, those who survived, and all those who came to help. Too many lives will never be the same 💚