County Durham firefighter from New Zealand making mum proud from other side of world
32 year-old Cinnamon Filipiak moved to the UK from New Zealand in 2018
A County Durham on-call firefighter from New Zealand is continuing to make her mother proud on the other side of the world.
32 year-old Cinnamon Filipiak is based at Barnard Castle Fire Station and works as a bartender at The Cricketers Arms alongside her life-saving role.
She moved to the UK in 2018 with a dream of finding a career where she could help others and finally found her calling when she joined County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) last year.
Cinnamon said: “When I told my mum that I wanted to be a firefighter she wasn't as surprised as I thought she would be!
“But thinking about it, that's probably because she knew I always wanted to be a part of the services.
“If it wasn't the armed forces, it was the police or the fire service.
“I have always wanted to make mum proud of me in everything I do, so to know that she is proud of me makes me happy.
“It gives me the strength to keep going and to know that I am doing something right.”
On Mother's Day, Cinnamon added: "I just send her a Mother's Day and I'll try and call her as that's all I can do from this side of the world. Personally, sending flowers means they last one or two weeks but at least if it's a card, it's a keepsake.
"She's literally the best mum in the world. I'm lucky to have her. I couldn't have done and gone this far without her. I wouldn't be the person I am today without her.
"Thank you for being the best mum I could ever have, pushing me to create my dreams, following my dreams, to be there to support me every time I failed and doubted myself. She's my rock."
Cinnamon attends a range of emergency incidents when alerted by her pager and also hones her skills at weekly drill nights held at the station.
Mum Jacqueline Haddow said Cinnamon joined the family when she was just six years old after a difficult start in life and is so proud to see how far she has come.
She said: “After finding happy place at Barnard Castle, the opportunity arose for her to try to become part of the fire service.
“Although it was a hard and challenging goal for her, it was also hard for me to not be there to support and encourage her in person.
“But she did it!
“Cinnamon is a compassionate caring person.
“She is a grafter, a great friend, a stepmother, aunt, little sister and a daughter and we are all very proud of her.”
CDDFRS is recruiting on-call firefighters who must be able to attend a fire station within five minutes of being alerted to an incident.
The paid role is open to residents aged 17 years and six months who must be able to commit to a minimum number of hours per week, ranging from 40 to 120, and attend weekly drill nights at the fire station to practice their skills.
To apply, click here.