The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
New award honours late Fife firefighter’s memory and work
KIRKCALDY: Accolade created by service for colleague who died of cancer
The legacy of a Fife fire officer who died following a battle with blood cancer will live on after a new award was bestowed in his name.
The Gary Dall Award has been created by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service as a lasting tribute to the fatherof-four, who died last year.
It will celebrate volunteer groups across the country who work to recruit potential stem cell donors to the Anthony Nolan register.
The honour is part of a long-standing partnership between the fire service and the blood cancer charity.
Gary, from Kirkcaldy, was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome in 2017 and was due to receive a transplant.
However, he died before he was able to go ahead with the procedure.
His wife Jennifer said: “I was really touched when the Scottish Fire and
“
I was really touched when the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service asked if they could create an award in my husband’s name. JENNIFER DALL
Rescue Service asked me if they could create an award in my husband’s name.
“He faced his condition with courage and a determination to help others, so to see the lasting impact this has had on his colleagues makes me extremely proud.
“The fire service and Anthony Nolan partnership does such incredible work and I will continue to support it and help them to reduce the devastating impact that blood cancer can have on families like mine.”
The inaugural Gary Dall Award was recently presented to a group of volunteers from the Fife fire service at an event marking the 10 year anniversary of the Anthony Nolan partnership.
Since 2009 it has recruited more than 14,500 potential stem cell donors to the register, leading to 53 potentially lifesaving transplants.
The creation of the new award follows the naming of a training area at Kirkcaldy fire station as the Dall Room.
Retired area commander Ally Boyle said Gary had been a hugely respected friend and colleague and added: “Despite his ill-health, Gary continued to campaign to recruit potential stem cell donors to the register.
“He was a great man and this is a fitting tribute that celebrates the great determination he showed to help other people throughout his illness and treatment.”