Stockport is being hailed as the ‘Hollywood of the North’ as it grows its reputation as a popular filming location for some of the world’s leading TV shows and films.
13.08.2023 - 18:15 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
When Helena Brown moved back to the UK after years spent travelling the world as a flight attendant, she was at a loss over what to do next with her life.
A fitness fanatic, she trained to be a personal trainer and was offered a job at David Lloyd. But she still found herself searching for something more.
During the coronavirus lockdown in 2020, Helena decided to join Greater Manchester Fire Service. She is one of 106 female firefighters serving the region - and is now a national champion.
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Making the grade to join the brigade was tough - she feared she would never make it as her grasp of maths is shaky - but she is shaping up as a role model for women thinking of joining the service.
Now, her ambitions are soaring. "Next I want to be a trauma technician and then a driver, and only when I have mastered all the skills required as a firefighter I would like to be a crew manager," she said.
Helena took part in a national challenge for firefighters staged in Manchester and was crowned British Female Champion. In full kit and wearing breathing apparatus she ran to the top of a three-storey tower, hauled a hose up from the ground and then ran back down the tower with it.
She then hit a 72kg block with a 4kg hammer into a slot; dragged a hose 50m, carried four 20kg jerry cans, rolled up a 50m hose; ran 50m to an 11 stone dummy which she then dragged 50m to the finish line. She did it all in 3mins 56 seconds.
It was impressive proof that even in your mid 30s a radical work change is possible. Helena, 38, who is based at Whitefield Station, has swapped the high-life in Abu Dhabi for protecting lives and property in north
Stockport is being hailed as the ‘Hollywood of the North’ as it grows its reputation as a popular filming location for some of the world’s leading TV shows and films.
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