Festive firefighters spreading cheer in vintage fire engine

From providing sweets to youngsters to playing Christmas carols, the fire crew from Westlea has put on the event for the last 16 years while raising money for the Fire Fighters Charity - with this year's takings setting a new record in the event's history.

Firefighter Simon Owen, who coordinated the event, said: "The event has always been successful in fundraising for the charity. But this year it has surpassed all of our expectations as we've managed to raise over £800 so far but also the number of people coming out to say hello.

"The community knows our fire station and we try to give back to them and the Santa visit is quite unusual and since we have been doing it people have said to us that it marks the start of their festivities."

The Fire Fighters Charity provides help to around 11,000 beneficiaries every year including serving and retired personnel, their widowers and young dependants through the provision of sheltered accommodation, recuperative facilities, rehabilitation and therapy, as well as giving financial support to those who need it.

Simon, who has been in the fire service for 29 years, added that special thanks must be paid to retired firefighter Chris Wannell who owns the vintage fire engine and is a long term supporter for the Fire Fighters charity having raised nearly £90,000 since he first started fundraising.

"People probably don't realise there is a charity out there to help firefighters and we often get people wanting to donate so the charity is a brilliant way of helping a great cause," he said.

"The whole event is amazing and a lot of work goes into organising it and the guys involved give up their own time to make it special so to get such a great reaction from the community definitely makes it worth it."

Father Christmas and his 1943 Leyland turntable ladder fire appliance will next visit Sparcells and Peatmoor on Monday evening.

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