Merseyside pupils honoured as fire champions at Anfield in landmark youth safety event

Young people from across Merseyside gathered at Anfield Stadium this week to celebrate their achievements as part of the region’s largest Fire Champions event to date.

The initiative, led by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and supported by Merseyside Police, St John Ambulance, and local mental health charity Evolving Mindsets, welcomed 265 pupils from eight primary schools for a full day of activities.

Hosted at the iconic home of Premier League champions Liverpool FC, the event was designed to promote health, wellbeing, and personal safety among children aged 9 to 10. Pupils took part in interactive sessions covering key topics such as fire, road and water safety, first aid, and mental health—particularly supporting exam readiness and emotional resilience.

The Fire Champions programme is funded by the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership and delivered over six weeks in schools across the region. It combines physical activity with creative workshops and discussions, aiming to build life skills, challenge preconceptions, and strengthen relationships between young people and emergency service personnel.

Importantly, the initiative also addresses complex issues such as gang involvement, grooming, exploitation, and County Lines activity, helping to equip children with the awareness and tools needed to navigate potential risks.

This latest cohort brings the total number of Fire Champions to 815 pupils from 30 Merseyside schools.

Merseyside’s Police Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, said:

“Investing in our young people is vital if we are to prevent them setting out on negative pathways that lead to serious violent crime and anti-social behaviour.

“Sport is such a powerful mechanism that really engages young people aiding their fitness and mental health development, whilst giving them safe, positive opportunities and the chance to try new experiences and gain new skills.

“We are not only diverting young people from engaging in criminal or violent activity, but we are also improving their physical and mental health, empowering them with greater self-awareness, constructive coping strategies and a positive mind set for the future to help them reach their full potential.”

“Fire Champions also allows us to open up dialogue between blue light services and young people before they reach high school, to promote responsible behaviour and educate them on the dangers of common issues we see too often in our communities.” 

Director of the MVRP, Supt Georgie Garvey said:

“We are so proud to fund and support the Fire Champions scheme. It’s an inspiring example of how early intervention can help us form new relationships with young people, building community resilience through opportunities they might never normally experience. 

“By using a range of engaging techniques to help children to identify and understand when they feel they are not safe, we can help them stay in control of a situation, strengthening their protection factors, building self-esteem, self–confidence and self-control.  

“We are committed to keeping children safe from risky situations in their community and Fire Champions gives them those essential tools and the right ideals, to improve their prospects and aspirations to set them on the right path to a brighter future.” 

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service Group Manager Mark Sopp said:

“Fire Champions is a vital multi-agency education programme that equips children in Years 5 and 6 with the knowledge and skills to stay safe as they transition into secondary education. 

“This event at Anfield is a celebration of the collaborative work being delivered across over 30 primary schools in Merseyside. 

“By bringing together key partners – including Merseyside Police, St John Ambulance, and Evolving Mindset – we’re empowering young minds to make positive choices and build safer communities. 

“To date, Fire Champions has reached a significant number of young people, and we remain dedicated to expanding this vital work.”

Find more information about the Merseyside Fire Champions here.

Find all the latest Liverpool news here.

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