North firefighters have been honoured by a Highland child protection group.
Safe Strong and Free handed over the Annette Ewen Memorial Shield to fire service area manager John MacDonald to thank the Service for supporting and raising the awareness of their work and helping reduce the vulnerability of young children to abuse.
Safe, Strong and Free was piloted in 1989 and is a primary abuse prevention program which aims to reduce the vulnerability of young children to abuse and assault.
Every nursery and pre-school child in Highland has access to their workshops, which focus on teaching children to keep themselves safe.
The Safe, Strong and Free team visited Inverness Fire Station back in January this year, on what was dubbed “Highland Hero Day” to highlight to children that members of the blue light services are there to support children.
Project co-ordinator of Safe Strong and Free, Kerry Glen said: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for supporting Safe, Strong and Free on Highland Hero Day.
“Highland Hero Day is all about highlighting to children that members of the blue light services are there to support children and instil the idea that uniformed services are there to help and can be trusted.
On accepting the award on behalf of the Service, Area Manager John MacDonald, said: “I am delighted that the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service within the Highland area is able to support Safe Strong and Free and valuable work they do to prevent children from harm.”