“WHILE the news of their deaths will fade, their children will still be here tomorrow”.

These are the moving words of a friend of hero firemen Alan Bannon and James Shears as a fundraising appeal is launched in their memory.

Paul Trew, who worked with 38- year-old Alan and 35-year-old James, today urged the people of Southampton to show their gratitude to the men who sacrificed their lives trying to save others in the Shirley Towers blaze this week.

The two colleagues died after bravely going into the burning tower block to tackle a fire that had broken out in a flat on the ninth floor on Tuesday evening.

United in grief, colleagues of James and Alan are determined to do all they can to safeguard the future of their families.

Paul, pictured below, who was based at St Mary’s station with the pair for a number of years and was a close personal friend, said: “There are a lot of people in the St Mary’s community and indeed the wider city of Southampton who owe these firefighters so much.

“We know it is our job and sometimes we go out and get dirty, filthy and even burnt – but we don’t expect to go out the door and not come back.”

HOW TO DONATE

■ YOU can give money to the James Shears and Alan Bannon Memorial Fund by visiting your own bank and using the following account numbers: Sort Code: 08- 60-01 Account no: 20111678 Unity Trust Bank

■ Alternatively members of the public can visit St Mary’s fire station to drop off donations direct.

■ All money raised will go directly to the families of Alan Bannon and James Shears.

The fundraising campaign has been launched jointly by Hampshire Fire Brigades Union and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and is being backed by the Daily Echo.

It aims to raise as much money as possible for the families of Alan, dad-of-one to five-year-old Abigail, and James, who had two sons, Frankie, five and four-year-old Ruben.

Paul, who is general secretary of Hampshire FBU, added: “This appeal will ensure that their children will never grow up struggling. While it is very hard to say that eventually news of the loss of Alan and James will fade, their children will still be here and that is why I would urge people to do what they can now.”

Paying tribute, he told how Alan and James – nicknamed Burt and Britney among friends – were “two of the loveliest guys you could ever meet”.

Paul added: “I never heard a bad word said about either of them and that’s unusual in the fire service. They were genuinely nice blokes who very much loved their children – they were totally wrapped up in them.

Daily Echo: Firefighters Appeal: How you can help

“Jim was perhaps the fittest and toughest firefighter I knew.

He was the only Hampshire firefighter to win gold at the World Firefighter Games. He was as tough as they come. We used to call him Little Jim but there was nobody tougher than him.

“Alan was just a brilliant bloke who loved the outdoor life. He would be off mountaineering one week and canoeing the next – he was a real action man but at the same time the most laid back person I know and so gentle. His practical skills were second to none, he could build you anything.”

Both men had joined Paul’s watch at St Mary’s – with Alan serving alongside him for five years and James for two – and were active members of the FBU. Paul added: “They were both excellent firemen. I have been in the job 26 years and I think I’m qualified to say that.

“The guys who are left on the watch are just destroyed, completely grief stricken. They have lost two great characters, two of the best.”

TRAGEDY ON THE 9TH FLOOR:

  • The unique bond between firefighters
  • The first to die in action since Blitz
  • Public can help with blaze probe
  • Fire Safety Advice
  • Hayley's appeal captures hearts

See Saturday Review inside today's Daily Echo