Devastated daughter of hero firefighter who died in raging inferno pleas for return of iPod which gave her ‘musical cuddles from dead dad’
Abigail Bannon says listening to device makes her feel a connection to brave dad Alan
THE DEVASTATED daughter of a hero firefighter who died in a tower block blaze has made an emotional plea for the return of his stolen iPod which she cherished.
Along with a teddy, the music player was the only possession eleven-year-old Abigail Bannon had to remember brave Alan by.
The firefighter lost his life in 2010 when Abigail was just five and she says listening to the device makes her feel a connection to him.
She said: “When I put the iPod on I felt like my dad was listening to it with me. It felt like I was getting a musical hug from him.
“When I realised it was gone I was really scared. I went into school but just didn’t know what to do and so I just cried. It meant so much to me and I just want it back.”
The blue iPod Nano was stolen from Abigail’s mum’s car while it was parked on their driveway outside their home in Southampton, Hants on January 25.
The Fire Brigade’s union has now offered a £1,000 reward for the device’s safe return.
Its general secretary Matt Wrack said: “Alan Bannon spent a career keeping people safe, being there for them when they were going through the worst day of their life.
“When others were running away from fires, Alan was running toward them.
“His family paid the heaviest price when they lost Alan and the iPod serves as a daily comfort to his daughter Abi. Nothing can ever replace it.
“That’s why the FBU has offered the £1,000 reward for any information leading to its return. I would urge anyone with information to come forward.
“Camaraderie within the fire service runs deep. Every firefighter is aware of the risks they face on the job.
“But they also know, if the worst were to happen, their colleagues would look after their family- the Fire Brigades Union never forgets.”
Alan’s widow Charlotte added: “It means so much that the Fire Brigade Union want to help. They were so supportive when Alan died, they came to visit me.”
Alan, 38, died alongside colleague James Shears, 35, while tackling a fire at 15-storey Shirley Towers in Southampton on April 6, 2010.
The fire started on the ninth floor of the 180ft-high tower block after a curtain left draped over a light bulb caught fire.
Fire crews managed to evacuate more than 100 residents.
But tragically James and Alan were discovered lying next to each other in the flat of Karl and Kirsty Hoffman – where the fire started.
Alan, from Southampton, was pronounced dead at the scene and James, from Poole, Dorset, died later that evening in hospital.
Both men were post-humously awarded Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Meritorious Medal for Gallantry in 2012.
Anyone with any information should email: Press@fbu.org.uk
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