Kent firefighter organises No Smoke Without Fire charity gig at Dreamland

September 4, 2023 Kathy Bailes Events 1

A Watch Manager with Kent Fire and Rescue Service has organised a gig at Dreamland’s Ballroom to raise money for two charities.

Adrian Hawkins has been a watch manager for 22 years, including three years at Margate until a recent move to Canterbury.

The No Smoke Without Fire gig will raise funds for The Firefighters Charity and mental health charity Rethink.

Adrian said: “The Firefighters Charity looks after serving and retired fire fighters and their families and provide support, rehabilitation, recuperation and counselling at their three centres across the UK. The charity relies on fundraising events to raise money to be able to continue to help firefighters.

“I also wanted to support a local mental health charity so contacted Rethink Mental Health. Mental health is so important and having access to that support is vital. As firefighters we see a lot in our careers and it is essential that the support is there for PTSD and mental health.”

Bands at the gig all have a fire service link and there has been some helpful local support.

Adrian said: “I came up with idea of putting on a charity gig at the beginning of the year and thought it would be a great way to raise money whilst having a great night with live music from some great local bands.

“I wanted the bands to have connections to the fire service and their is a wealth of talent amongst them. I decided it would be great to host it at an iconic venue such as Dreamland in the famous Ballroom, so I approached the events team who were more than happy to support my idea. I then came up with the event name, No Smoke Without Fire. There is a message behind this and a play on words.

“The bands playing are Craig (Muzz) McMurray with an acoustic set. Craig is a watch manager in the training team. We have Shiva which is a dance club classics band playing all the club anthems of the 90′ and noughties. The guitarist is a retired firefighter.

“And then there is Pennyspent who are an altrock band who play rock classics from 90s upwards with their own twist on some great classics. The singer is my daughter and has been a big part of putting this all together with me.

“I have had great support to help me get this off the ground from David Davies of Hereward Motors Westgate, who has been the main sponsor for this event, and Ace Attire printers who are putting the merchandise together. Also Codfish productions have kindly offered their support to film the event.”

No Smoke Without Fire takes place at Dreamland on November 3 from 7pm. Tickets are £15 and all monies will go to the charities and a proportion of the merchandise sales as well.