Fire fighters to the rescue

Along with the provision of a coach and driver, donated by local company Renown, 30 children aged between seven and 18 from the Peanut ward at the Queen Victoria hospital, East Grinstead (the area's local burns unit) will travel to the Isle Of Wight at the beginning of June.

For the past 18 months the dedicated Fire Fighters have been avidly fund-raising; they've run marathons, held open days and raised nearly 4,000

The cheque for 650 was the result of sponsorship they received for competing in the Hastings Half Marathon which, according to DCFO Chris Large: "is probably one of the hardest runs in the country as there are a lot of hills."

Community education officer of the charity, Liz Turnbull, said they have been working on fire prevention and safety in partnership with the East and West Sussex Fire and Rescue Services for six years.

Liz visits and talks to schools and other groups and says she will talk to "anyone who will listen to me about burn prevention and fire safety. We also raise money to help the children on Peanut ward."

Emphasising how important the trip is she said: " For some of these children it's the first time they have been away from home. We basically want to give them a bit of fun, some confidence and encourage them to talk to each other. We are hoping this will become an annual event."

Staff from the hospital will also go on the trip to help with the treatment and change dressings while they are away.

For more information on the charity or to make a donation visit the website: www.childrensfireandburntrust.org.uk