Bridgnorth firefighters raise hundreds for vital charity

Firefighters pulled out their buckets and sponges to raise money for a vital charity helping their colleagues recover from from stress, illness and injury.

The Firefighters Charity helps to support the "everyday heroes" in the UK's fire community and it the only charity of its kind in the UK.

Stations across Shropshire have pledged to donate £22,000 this year, and fire watch manager Ashley Brown said he's sure they'll be able to make it thanks to events like Saturday's car wash at Bridgnorth, where they raised nearly £500.

"The Firefighters Charity is the only UK charity which deals with recuperation, rehab and respite for firefighters and their dependants – it's really important," he said.

"They're the people that we can turn to when we're down or recovering from injury.

"March is National Car Wash Month for the charity and so far we've had about a dozen across Shropshire, from Ludlow and Bridgnorth in the sourth up to Tweedale and Wellington and then Whitchurch in the north.

"Saturday's car wash went really well. We raised £490. It was very well supported by the firemen, their wives and partners and all the community who came down."

They will continue to raise funds throughout the year, including another series of car wash events in September.

Mr Brown said: "We get passing trade, but we also get people who specifically come down to see us and support us.

"We'll carry on collecting throughout the year, with everything from raffles to street collections, as well as just general donations to the charity.

"We were set quite an ambitious target of £22,000 for donations and fundraising, which has leapt up from £9,000 in previous year. Thanks to the hard work of the stations and people who support us, we should be there or thereabouts at the end of the year."