Local Printer Supports Fire Prevention Initiative with free certificates for school children

A new initiative designed to raise awareness of the problem of fire-setting in the Aberdeen Gramps has won the support of Aberdeen based printers, Whitespark Promotions.

In fact, Whitespark owner, Stuart Ebdy, was so impressed by the hard work being done by Grampian Fire and Rescue Service, in partnership with Grampian Police and Aberdeen City Council Park Rangers Service, that he decided to design and print certificates for all participants in the initiative for free.

"There's a huge problem with fire-raising in the area known locally as 'The Gramps", says Stuart. "In the last year alone, Grampian Fire and Rescue Service have attended 132 fires on Kincorth Hill Nature Reserve, and Tullos Hill, with most of the fires being wilful."

In order to try and combat the problem, the Fire Service, Police and City Council have been working with all primary six and seven pupils from the eight primary schools surrounding the Gramps, to explain the dangers of wilful fire-raising, and show the children the wildlife which is destroyed by it.

By holding talks at the schools, and taking the pupils on instructional walks through the Gramps, during which they are encouraged to appreciate the beauty of the area and its wildlife, and consider the danger fire brings, it is hoped that the initiative will have a positive influence on both the children who participate and their families.

"When I found out about this initiative I was immediately struck by how hard the Fire Service, Police and Council are working to combat the problem of wilful fire-raising, and how important the issue is to the area," explains Stuart Ebdy or Whitespark Promotions.

"I went along to the Fire Station to meet some of the participants, and decided to contribute the design and printing of the certificates for free, as our way of supporting this important initiative. We're proud to have been a part of the Fire Prevention and Awareness Course, and are sure that the course will prove to be a huge success."

Altens Fire Station manager, Alan Fleming, added: "All the participants in the initiative are delighted with the certificates. I am grateful to Stuart for his support and contribution."

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For more information, contact Stuart Ebdy on 01224 289 772

Notes to editors:

Stuart Ebdy was the winner of Shell LiveWIRE's North East Scotland Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2005.
At just 24 years of age, Stuart is one of Scotland's youngest entrepreneurs, and has recently expanded his commercial printing and design business, Whitespark Promotions, with a network of websites across the UK.