THE first draw of the Fire Brigade Union’s new lottery on Bonfire Night will bring a warm glow to three lucky winners while helping five good causes that are close to the hearts of firefighters and their families.

Half of all monies raised by the Firefighters 100 Lottery will form a fund to help the families of fallen and injured firefighters, and pay for and maintain memorials for those killed in the line of duty.

The new lottery will help families like those of Ewan Williamson who was killed on duty in 2009.

His sister Rachel Williamson said: “After my brother Ewan died while on duty in Edinburgh, our family was literally torn apart by grief. We then had to endure years of torment and anguish as the authorities were made to face up to the training and safety issues that led up to Ewan’s death. If we hadn’t had legal support from the FBU during this dreadful time, we would have been in financial ruin.

"The Firefighters 100 Lottery is very much needed. It has been set up to help those who are forced to endure the injury or even death of a beloved son or daughter, brother or sister, husband or wife. We don’t think there could be a worthier cause, and we support it wholeheartedly.”

Susan Veevers, the mother of Manchester firefighter Stephen Hunt, who died while on duty in 2013, said: “No-one could imagine the hell our family went through after my son Stephen died... people assume that families like ours are looked after following such a tragedy, but it’s not always the case.

"A special fund to support those unlucky enough to lose a loved one is much needed and very welcome.”

Tickets cost £1 each and there are three guaranteed cash prizes awarded to players every week. The lottery has been launched in the run up to the FBU’s centenary celebration marking 100 years since the union was formed in 1918.

All ticket holders will be entered into a special prize draw for an iPhone 7 worth £1,000.

Tickets can be bought at www.firefighters100lottery.co.uk

Money raised from the Firefighters 100 Lottery will also help to:

• Promote the lessons to be learnt from firefighter deaths and serious injuries.

• Support research into the physical and mental health and well-being of firefighters and the “all hazards” nature of the modern fire and rescue service.

• Support humanitarian assistance for those affected by fire or disaster.