Hand-painted rocks to form ‘999 Line’ in Ely to show the city’s appreciation for our police, fire and ambulance service

Hundreds of people have hand-painted rocks to form a ‘999 Line’ to join the three emergency services in Ely. Picture: ELY ROCK EELS (Image: ELY ROCK EELS)

The trail will link Ely’s ambulance station on Nutholt Lane to the police station on Lynn Road and will then form a 0.2 mile line to the fire station on Egremont Street.

Each rock has been hand-painted by a member of the Ely Rock Eels group, a community of people “always looking for a new idea for community rocking”.

Fleur Patten of the group, said: “One of our members, Sarah Follet, came up with the idea of making a line of rocks to show our appreciation for their service.

Hundreds of people have hand-painted rocks to form a ‘999 Line’ to join the three emergency services in Ely. Picture: ELY ROCK EELS (Image: ELY ROCK EELS)

“It will be no problem to join up the police and the ambulance stations because they are next door to one another.

“Anyone is welcome to drop a rock on the line. We all have a story of one or all of the services helping us in our lives.”

The formation of the line will begin at around 10am on Saturday, November 24 and everyone is welcome to come along and help.

Hundreds of people have hand-painted rocks to form a ‘999 Line’ to join the three emergency services in Ely. Picture: ELY ROCK EELS (Image: ELY ROCK EELS)

Earlier this year, Fleur took a rucksack-full of painted rocks to Grenfell Tower following the blaze that killed more than 70 people.

In amongst the ‘999 rocks’ on Saturday will be some of the Grenfell rocks, Fleur said it’s their way of saying thank you to the officers’ colleagues.

Fleur added: “Every time I attend the monthly silent walk in London, I am astonished at the resilience, loyalty and fortitude of those firefighters who line up to show support.

Hundreds of people have hand-painted rocks to form a ‘999 Line’ to join the three emergency services in Ely. Picture: ELY ROCK EELS (Image: ELY ROCK EELS)

“It really brings home the risks that these people take for all of us. Not all heroes wear capes.

Tali Iserles painted the Not all Heroes Wear Capes rock and Paula Woodruffe painted the three officers in their uniform.

Anna-May Neal, who is “the most prolific rocker”, has painted more than 2,000 rocks which have been dropped in Ely. “She is our most famous rocker”, Fleur said.

Hundreds of people have hand-painted rocks to form a ‘999 Line’ to join the three emergency services in Ely. Picture: ELY ROCK EELS (Image: ELY ROCK EELS)

Hundreds of people have hand-painted rocks to form a ‘999 Line’ to join the three emergency services in Ely. Picture: ELY ROCK EELS (Image: ELY ROCK EELS)

Hundreds of people have hand-painted rocks to form a ‘999 Line’ to join the three emergency services in Ely. Picture: ELY ROCK EELS (Image: ELY ROCK EELS)

Hundreds of people have hand-painted rocks to form a ‘999 Line’ to join the three emergency services in Ely. Picture: ELY ROCK EELS (Image: ELY ROCK EELS)

Hundreds of people have hand-painted rocks to form a ‘999 Line’ to join the three emergency services in Ely. Picture: ELY ROCK EELS (Image: ELY ROCK EELS)

Hundreds of people have hand-painted rocks to form a ‘999 Line’ to join the three emergency services in Ely. Picture: ELY ROCK EELS (Image: ELY ROCK EELS)