Sadiq Khan has today announced he is offering every member of London’s emergency services and their families free tickets to attend the World Para Athletics Championships to thank them for their tireless efforts in responding to recent tragedies in the capital.
The Mayor of London is making tickets available in recognition of the bravery and dedication of the capital’s emergency services following the recent terrorist attacks at Westminster, London Bridge and Finsbury Park, and the horrific Grenfell Tower fire earlier this month.
Tickets have been offered to staff at London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade, Metropolitan Police, British Transport Police, City of London Police and those working at hospitals involved in responding to the incidents. Up to five tickets are available to each member of staff for themselves and family members for the opening weekend of the championships, which start on Friday 14 July at the Olympic Stadium.
The tickets are available for the opening night and the morning sessions on Saturday 15 July and Sunday 16 July. City Hall will ensure those working shifts during this period will be accommodated. Staff will be able to apply through their organisation before the closing date of Friday 7 July.
The Mayor is also announcing today that the British Red Cross will be the official charity for the World Para Athletics Championships. The British Red Cross has been co-ordinating the relief efforts from the recent terrorists attacks in London and Manchester, and the Grenfell Tower fire.
This year’s World Para Athletics Championships in London is the biggest ever and London 2012 stars, including Jonnie Peacock and Hannah Cockroft, will take to the track once again with the aim of bringing home the gold for Great Britain.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “London’s emergency services have faced unprecedented demands in recent months and, on behalf of Londoners, I want to express my deepest gratitude for their courageous response to the appalling attacks on our great city and the tragedy at Grenfell Tower. Firefighters, doctors, nurses, paramedics, police, and other frontline staff worked around the clock to keep us safe and treat the injured. We are so grateful for their efforts and that is why I am making tickets available for every one of them to see the World Para Athletics Championships to thank them for everything they do for London.
“It is an opportunity for our emergency services super heroes to see the Superhumans competing on the world stage at the Olympic stadium. I am proud we now get another chance to showcase and celebrate all that London stands for – a beacon of equality, resilience and openness.”
Metropolitan Police Service Commissioner Cressida Dick said: “I am immensely proud of the officers and staff of the Met. We have some fantastic people, with incredible skills who continue to work very hard to keep Londoner’s safe. From the bravery of those involved in recent terrorist attacks to the diligence and compassion of those who continue to try to understand the complex investigation at Grenfell, their professionalism is humbling. The response from members of the public has been deeply moving and I know that my officers and staff will appreciate the opportunity to attend this fantastic event.”
London Fire Commissioner Dany Cotton said: “The past few months have been incredibly challenging for all of the emergency services, and London Fire Brigade staff across the whole service have shown the greatest level of commitment and professionalism. We have been heartened by the amazing number of gifts and well wishes from Londoners and I’m sure that staff who are able to attend will enjoy the opportunity to spend time with their families at this exceptional event.”
Paul Woodrow, Director of Operations at London Ambulance Service, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the messages of support and gestures of thanks we have received following the recent incidents in London.
“I’m incredibly proud of all of our staff who responded to these tragic events. Whether they were the first point of contact, providing reassurance from our control room and dispatching ambulances to critically ill patients or treating the ill and injured at the scene, the entire Service worked hard to ensure that the patients involved got the treatment they needed as quickly as possible.
“After an incredibly difficult few weeks, this kind gesture will give our teams the opportunity to enjoy everything that our vibrant city has to offer.”
Niels de Vos, Championship Director of London 2017, said: “London 2017 welcomes this generous investment by the Mayor of London. We are delighted his support will enable the emergency services to enjoy World-class Para Athletics in a global presentation of the triumph of human spirit over adversity.”
Mike Adamson, chief executive of the British Red Cross, said: “We are proud to be the official charity for the IPC World Para Athletics Championships and it means a huge amount to us to have this recognition of our volunteers’ work over the past few months in the response to the awful attacks on Westminster, London Bridge, Finsbury Park as well as the fire in north Kensington.
“We exist to help people in crisis, be that in the UK or abroad, and the past few months have bought this country, and the capital in particular, more than our fair share of crises. In every one of these terrible circumstances, there have been the most inspirational acts of kindness, bravery and humanity. This event is a moment to consider all that is good about the emergency services and the capital’s community.”