Firefighter Calls for Local Support After Receiving Honour
Kim Jerray-Silver urges community help to fight loneliness
Kim Jerray-Silver dancing with one of the attendees at an event she organised at Acton Fire Station
July 28, 2025
A firefighter based at Ealing Station has been awarded the British Citizen Award (BCA) for Services to Charity in recognition of her tireless work supporting isolated residents.
The ceremony took place on Thursday 24 July, hosted by TV presenter Matt Allwright, with support from patrons Dame Mary Perkins and The Rt Hon Lord Dholakia.
London Fire Brigade Sub Officer Kim Jerray-Silver is now asking the community to help her expand her efforts even further.
She said, “Receiving the British Citizen Award was a true honour. But I want to use that recognition to do more – to reach further. That’s why I’m asking for help.”
Serving with the brigade since 2004, Ms Jerray-Silver organises regular events at Acton Fire Station—including quarterly tea parties for older people and Halloween parties for children—to foster connection and share vital fire safety advice. These gatherings saw over 1,500 attendees last year, thanks to her coordination with Ealing Council and Ealing Community Transport.
She said, “This isn’t about charity. “It’s about restoring connection, dignity and joy to those who’ve quietly slipped through the cracks.”
From musical entertainment to dancing and refreshments, the events aim to create moments of joy for those who often face loneliness or mobility challenges. Volunteers, including Ealing Fire Cadets and local performers, help bring each gathering to life.
Kim Jerray-Silver with her award
Ms Jerray-Silver’s extraordinary journey began long before her firefighting career. As one of Europe’s first female professional footballers, she played for Arsenal Ladies (1996–1999) and Fulham Ladies (2000–2003), securing the treble and scoring the decisive penalty in the Nationwide League Cup final against her former club. She was also selected to play for England in the 1997 UEFA Women's Euro qualifiers at Griffin Park—all while caring for her family after losing her father to cancer.
In 2020, she received the “Bright Light” award from the Women’s Fire Service Association, noted as a role model who “lives and breathes” the LFB. She was also among the first responders during the Edgware Road bombings on 7 July 2005.
If you are able to help her efforts to combat loneliness email her at kim.jerray-silver@london-fire.gov.uk.
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