Help Us Rescue Sheffield’s Forgotten Blitz Heroes

On the nights of 12th and 15th December ,1940, Sheffield burned. The German bombing killed and wounded more than 2,000 people; made nearly a tenth of the population homeless and changed the face of the city forever.

Firefighters and police officers from across South Yorkshire were thrown into the chaos. Now, 85 years later, two survivors of that era need our help to ensure they remain become a permanent reminder of those tragic events.

• A 1932 Leyland fire engine that actually served during the Sheffield Blitz.

• An original WWII police car – one of very few still on the road today.

We are keen for them to be centre-stage in Sheffield’s brand new, permanent Blitz exhibition, opening to the public on Saturday 13 December 2025, as part of the 85th‑anniversary commemorations. But neither can take their place without urgent action.

Stage 1: Save the Blitz fire engine (£9,000 target)

This Leyland engine once stood on the front line of the Blitz. Today it is worn and faded after decades of use and later life as a training vehicle. Its paintwork is peeling, its bodywork scarred, and its wartime livery long lost.

We have less than three months to restore it before the anniversary. Specialist repair, repainting and conservation work are costly, but without them the engine cannot be ready to stand proudly before the public in December.

Stage 2: Secure the WWII police car (£9,000–£11,000 target)

Alongside the fire brigade, the police played a vital role in keeping order and protecting people during the Blitz. This rare WWII police car is a genuine survivor of that service. Fully roadworthy and in remarkable condition, it represents another side of the city’s wartime story.

We have the opportunity to acquire it permanently for the collection – but only if we can raise the funds in time. If successful, it will join the fire engine as a permanent exhibit in Sheffield’s Blitz gallery.

A proven exhibition with community roots:

When the National Lottery Heritage Fund supported the first Sheffield Blitz exhibition five years ago, it proved a huge success – doubling footfall at Sheffield's National Emergency Services Museum. Thanks to further funding, we are now doubling the size of that exhibition for the 85th anniversary.

However, the grant only covers certain areas. That is why public support is essential to help us restore and secure these rare emergency vehicles.

Our recent call‑out for additional memorabilia had an incredible response, with the offer of the WWII police car coming directly from the community. This is a rare opportunity to expand the collection even further and ensure Sheffield’s wartime story continues to educate and inspire future generations.

Where your money goes:

All funds raised will go to the Sheffield Blitz Memorial Trust, a not‑for‑profit organisation preserving the memories and stories of the Blitz, in partnership with the National Emergency Services Museum.

Every pound – whether given online or by cheque – will be used for the fire engine restoration and, once that goal is reached, for securing the police car.

If you’d prefer to donate offline, please make cheques payable to:

Sheffield Blitz Memorial Trust and send to: Sheffield Blitz Memorial Trust, 88 Abbeydale Road South, Millhouses, Sheffield S7 2QP.

Supporter rewards:

We want to recognise every person who helps bring this history back to life.

About the Sheffield Blitz Memorial Trust:

The Sheffield Blitz Memorial Trust was founded 15 years ago by author Neil Anderson, following the success of his book Sheffield’s Date With Hitler. It was clear that, despite the Blitz being one of the city’s darkest chapters, very little was in place to commemorate it.

Early support came from figures such as Terry Deary, creator of Horrible Histories, and Sheffield’s own Peter Stringfellow, alongside donations from hundreds of local people. Backing also came from The Star, Forgemasters, Atkinsons and many more Sheffield institutions.

That early momentum opened the door to National Lottery Heritage Fund support and has allowed the Trust to deliver lasting legacies: the permanent Blitz exhibition at the National Emergency Services Museum, the Sheffield Blitz Heritage Trail, new books, a dedicated website and much more.

This latest campaign builds on those achievements – ensuring that two remarkable Blitz survivors are saved for the public, for education, and for future generations.

Help us beat the clock:

This fire engine once faced the inferno that left a tenth of Sheffield’s people homeless. This police car represents those who patrolled the streets through the bombing raids.

Together they will form the prize exhibits in Sheffield’s new Blitz exhibition. With your help, in December 2025 – 85 years on – they will stand proudly once more: restored, remembered, and ready to tell their story to future generations.

This is our chance to save them. Please join us in this race against time. We must hit our target by October 17th, 2025, to (i) allow time for the essential conservation work to be done (ii) allow time to secure purchase of the vehicle (iii) have everything ready for the public unveiling of the brand new Sheffield Blitz permanent exhibition in December.

Thank you for your support.