A BODMIN firefighter who spent almost two decades raising more than £100,000 for charity through the Alstock Festival has been honoured with a national award.

Luke Hodge, a firefighter at Bodmin Community Fire Station, has been named the West Country’s 2026 Pride of Britain Fundraiser of the Year in recognition of his tireless work organising the festival in memory of his late father and legendary Cornish musician, Al Hodge.

For nearly 20 years, Luke gave up his spare time to help stage Alstock, which became a much-loved event while raising vital funds for local and national charities.

The award was presented to Luke surrounded by his family, colleagues from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service and fellow members of the Alstock team.

Luke said he was “honoured, humbled and privileged” to receive the accolade, but insisted it belonged to everyone involved with the festival.

“I am accepting it on behalf of the team,” he said. “Alstock was never one person. It was all of us.”

The festival began in 2007 in memory of Luke’s father and grew from an idea in Priory Park into an event which would raise more than £100,000 for good causes.

Luke also paid tribute to three original members of the Alstock team who have since died – Dick Gynn, Keith Chapman and John Pearn. He said they had helped establish the foundations of the festival when it was still only an idea.

“These guys helped put the foundations in place,” Luke said. “When we started in 2007, in memory of my dad, Al Hodge, they were there. They gave their time, their graft and their belief when it was still just an idea in Priory Park.

“Everything that followed, nearly 20 years, more than £100,000 for local and national charities, the Al Hodge Award for young musicians, stood on what they helped build. This award is for them as much as it is for anyone still here.”

Luke’s commitment to Alstock has been praised by colleagues at Bodmin Community Fire Station, who described him as caring, selfless and generous.

They said he was always willing to give his time to help others, whether through his fundraising, his work or simply supporting people who needed him.

Luke decided this year to bring Alstock to an end as he takes on increased caring responsibilities at home.

While the festival has now finished, its legacy lives on through the money raised and the people and organisations it supported.

Luke also thanked the volunteers, musicians, traders, sponsors and everyone who attended the festival over the years.

“To every volunteer, band, trader, sponsor and person who ever bought a ticket: thank you,” he said. “You made Alstock a proud and wonderful tribute to my dad, and a proper part of this community.

“I miss Dick, Keith and John. I hope they’d be proud of what we did together.

“Geddon.”

Bodmin Community Fire Station congratulated Luke on his national recognition, describing him as a “truly deserving winner” and sending congratulations from colleagues across the station.