Chopwell cancer survivor fulfils childhood firefighter dream

Tony Harvey has become an on-call firefighter, based in Chopwell

A cancer survivor has fulfilled his dream of becoming a firefighter.

Tony Harvey, 56, ran his own window cleaning company until he was diagnosed with throat cancer five years ago.

After successful treatment, the father-of-two said he decided to pursue his childhood dream and became an on-call firefighter for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, in Chopwell, Gateshead.

Station manager Andy Nelson called Mr Harvey's story "heartwarming" and said his "tough experiences" would help.

Mr Harvey received the all-clear in January and, alongside building a new landscaping business, he decided he wanted to join the fire service.

"It's always been my dream to be a firefighter, but I always thought my time had come and gone," he said.

"But this time, when the recruitment call went out, I was fit and able to apply - and I knew I wanted to give a little bit back to my community, if I could.

On-call firefighters are assigned to one station in the immediate vicinity of their home or work, a service spokesman explained.

'Adversity'

"I've lived in the area for more than 35 years now, so I know how much the community really relies on the fire station," said Mr Harvey.

"It's great to be a part of something larger."

He said his training at the brigade's Barmston Mere training centre, in Washington, was "intense" and "tough" but described the instructors as "so hands-on knowledgeable".

Mr Nelson, station manager, said: "It's so heartwarming to hear about Tony's life before he joined us as an on-call firefighter.

"He has lived through some tough experiences, so knows what it's like when adversity hits - which can happen a lot in this role.

"Having life experience and a different professional background is great because you never know what this role is going to throw at you, and sometimes you've really got to think outside the box."