AFTER 13 years aiding Hampshire Fire and Rescue, Basingstoke Young Firefighters Association (YFA) has announced the scheme has ended.

Basingstoke YFA was run by the Hampshire emergency service as an initiative to offer young people, aged between 13 and 17, the opportunity to join a uniformed organisation that was directly involved with the fire service.

It began in 2004 when Jerry Leonard, station commander at Basingstoke fire station, was looking for recruits to help with the scheme.

Initially he was assisted by station officers Keith Jones and Tony Evans.

But with firefighter Andy Liming the last remaining member of the original Basingstoke YFA, it was announced the group had ended.

Mr Liming said: “We all, without exception, learnt so much and met some great young people over the many years we had the group, some of whom now have families of their own, military and fire service careers, or have gone on to be skilled trades people.

“I personally have worked with some of the group who fell on difficult times, and even helped an individual who went to prison. I assisted many people with finding jobs and I think the link we made here as a community fire station gave the young people somewhere they felt they could go.”

Across its existence, young members took part in fire service drills, similar to that of operational firefighters, learning the importance and benefits of good team work and discipline.

The weekly sessions were part of the Department of Communities and Local Government’s national Children and Young People strategy.

It was intended to combat anti-social behaviour and reduce the risk faced by vulnerable youngsters.

Mr Liming added: “The YFA was a great scheme. I and all the people involved in it look back and feel we have contributed to society.”