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Firefighter who fled war-torn country calls for others to join fire services
A firefighter who left his country after it was devastated by war is encouraging other immigrants to follow in his footsteps and enter into a career with the fire service.
Bahri Mustafa has been a loved member of the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service for 17 years.
The 40-year old fled Albania 20 years ago after war broke out and settled in Gateshead.
He spent 15 years serving his community in Gateshead before moving across the River Tyne where he is now stationed at West Denton Community Fire Station.
Soon after his arrival, Baz, as he is affectionately known by friends colleagues, fulfilled his childhood dream becoming a firefighter in 2005.
He was inspired to enter into the career after his father had to go to hospital suffering with severe burns when Mustafa was only young.
The father-of-two is calling on other immigrants who have settled in the UK to consider becoming a firefighter.
Mustafa said: “It was incredibly difficult to leave my home country once the war broke out, but I knew that I needed to in order to stay safe. It was scary and isolating when I first arrived in the UK but I found my place at TWFRS.
“My friend told me I should apply because I had all the qualities to make a good firefighter, I’m fit and passionate about safety and helping people and I knew it would be a good fit for me.
“So I applied and got through, the training was tough but I expected nothing less because it helps you realise every time you put on your fire kit the responsibility on your shoulders.
“I mean its 17 years later and if I could go back and do it all again I definitely would, I love this job my children are so proud of the work I do.”
Mustafa believes one of the most important skills as a firefighter is compassion and being able to be there for people at some of their lowest moments.
He said: “You have to really put yourself in people’s shoes in this job, you often turn up to a job and people are at their worst so you’ve got to think fast and change the way you speak.
“Interacting with the public is a huge part of what we do and you never know what’s going on in someone’s life so compassion is so important.”
On Tuesday one of TWFRS’s highest ranking firefighters thanked him for his service as well as encouraging others to join him.
Assistant Chief Officer, Lynsey McVay, said: “Its people like Baz who make our service so fantastic, they are so passionate about their roles and keeping people safe that it can be infectious.
“It doesn’t matter where you come from, it matters who you are and why you want to help people, that’s what we are interested in.
“We are continuing with one of the biggest recruitment drives we have ever had and want to encourage others to consider a career with us.
“Regardless of your age, gender, race, religion or sexuality, there is a home for you here in Tyne and Wear so get on our website and apply to become part of the team.”
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Karen’s Diner on Tour coming to town on tour and ‘well if y’all show up in force we’ll either come as a longer term pop up or simply just stay put for a while until we’ve insulted everyone in the North East!’
Get your tickets here: Karens Diner Newcastle tickets
We have spoken to the top Karen who assures everyone who went last time that Bottomless means BOTTOMLESS!
At our pop-up Karen’s you will be greeted and waited upon by rude waiters who in return are expecting you to give it full Karen. A place where you can complain until the cows come home because we literally don’t care. You can expect good food, good fun and a dining experience like you’ve never had before. Let us know if it’s your birthday, if your name is Karen and for the love of Karen don’t ask to speak to the manager….
Your ticket includes a delicious BOTTOMLESS pizza and BOTTOMLESS prossecco or select spirits and mixers as well as select soft drinks drinks for a full 90mins
*We cater for all allergens
You will get full and authentic Karen experience – our games, our waitstaff and the full works. Decent food provided by the venue (we hope) and BOTTOMLESS booze for those who love a drink. This is a dining experience like no other – literally. Come enjoy the OG Karen’s from OG Karen’s.
Don’t accept imitations – book now to avoid missing out!
See our two below YouTube videos from the last time they were in the toon to see what to expect…
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*affiliate link – we may receive payment for sales for this event.
It looks set to be one of ITV’s biggest dramas this year and The Hunt for Raoul Moat is being brought to screen by the same people responsible for smash hit shows Line of Duty, Bodyguard and Vigil.
It was confirmed last April that production on the series had commenced, nearly 12 years after Moat gunman shot ex girlfriend Samantha Stobbart and her new boyfriend Christopher Brown, with Brown dying from his injuries. After fleeing Samantha’s home in Birtley, Moat, who had been released from prison just days earlier, went on the run, shooting on duty policeman PC David Rathband in the face as he sat in a patrol car on the outskirts of Newcastle and leaving him blind.
From there, Moat headed for Northumberland, forcing the quiet village of Rothbury into a lockdown as police launched a frantic search for him. The hunt for Moat reached its conclusion with a tense stand-off between the killer and the police on a riverbank, with Moat eventually shooting himself and dying from his injuries as he was rushed to Newcastle General Hospital.
ITV announced three parter The Hunt for Raoul Moat almost a year ago, as filming got underway in Yorkshire, with a cast including ex Bodyguard star Matt Stokoe as Moat and Inspector George Gently actor Lee Ingeleby as police chief Neil Adamson.
ITV have yet to officially announce an release date for The Hunt for Raoul Moat, but is expected to be form part of the channel’s spring programming.
footballinsider247 are reporting that the main shirt sponsor slot for Newcastle United is expected to be filled by airline SAUDI, who sponsored Newcastle’s mid-season tour of their owners’ homeland in December.
They state ‘This site revealed in February that there is frustration at St James’ Park that they have inherited a kit deal with Castore worth just £5m per year with no break clause and several seasons left to run.’
Newcastle’s recently appointed CEO Darren Eales has already previously expressed that the club at looking at all commercial opportunities and fans on Twitter were keen to mock up their expectation for the new shirts, see below and let us know your thoughts and also see our below video on how NUFC can increase commercial avenues..
Eddie Howe’s team are currently in a strong position to achieve a European slot which would increase revenue into the club allowing more spend whilst staying within Financial Fair Play which is something Howe has spoken about on several occasions as they look to stay within. If the club do reach a European slot it should help significantly with recruitment in the summer by making it a more attractive proposition to any incoming targets.
What do you think of the kits – let us know on our facebook page and join in on the conversation.
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Credit: NUFC kit concept – twitter
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