Volunteers support fire crews at Holme Fen, Dunwich and New Forest

“We are just trying to keep them fed, hydrated, and just give them a moment of peace or downtime when they’re feeling their worst.”

That is the mission of dozens of volunteers who are providing firefighters with respite while they tackle some of the biggest wildfires across the country, including in the New Forest, Dunwich Heath and Holme Fen.

The Rapid Relief Team (RRT), external, a Cambridgeshire-based charity, has been working alongside emergency services providing refreshments and welfare support to crews working in “horrific conditions”.

Ben Marsh, the charity’s Cambridge volunteer lead, said: “It’s definitely a very busy period for us… in this last week, we’ve had at least three days where there’s been seven reactive events happening up and down the country.

“We really enjoy putting that compassion in action and we’re there to support anyone in any way we can… it’s what we love to do.”