ALCESTER: Lafarge Cement has donated two pallets of cement for the construction of a memorial garden built to remember the lives of two firefighters from Alcester who died tragically in a fire in November 2007.

Following the death of Darren Yates-Badley and Ashley Stephens from Alcester fire station, friends and family felt it would be fitting to build a memorial garden next to the station, where they worked.

The garden was officially opened on 5 September by the two firefighters’ mothers. Close friends and relatives attended the opening, which included a buffet lunch for everybody who had contributed to its construction.

The Alcester branch of Travis Perkins coordinated the supply of £14 500 of materials to build the garden and contacted a number of suppliers, including Lafarge Cement, to make a donation. Lafarge was pleased to donate two pallets of Mastercrete in Plastic, which was used to lay the paving stone and build the boundary walls of the garden.

Dave Wrafter, branch manager at Travis Perkins (Alcester), says: “We specified Lafarge Cement’s Mastercrete because it can be used in many different applications but always gives a consistently good finish.

He continues: “With its plastic packaging we were able to leave the Mastercrete on site during construction without the product or bags being weather damaged, which was crucial as the garden was being built over the ‘British Summer!’”

Cath James, area sales manager for Lafarge Cement, adds: “After hearing about the Alcester fire-fighters’ plans for the memorial garden, we were very keen to support this worthwhile cause. The loss of two young men’s lives is devastating and we wanted to contribute to the creation of a space that others can enjoy in remembrance for many years to come.”