Firefighters present the £1,500 cheque to The Fire Fighters Charity's Pauline Tyldesley today.

19 August 2010

Buckingham's firefighters have handed out the third and final £1,500 charity cheque following their successful fundraising ball in May.

They made official presentations to Buckingham Community Hospital's League of Friends and Willen Hospice earlier this year, and today it was the turn of The Fire Fighters Charity.

Pictured handing over the monery to regional fundraiser Pauline Tyldesley, left to right, are Firefighter Phil Simons, Firefighter Steve Scott, Watch Manager Martin Howes, Watch Manager Neil Stafford, Area Manager Darryl Keen and Crew Manager Kieron Thomas.

Kieron said: "These three charities are close to our hearts and we are delighted that the support of the local community helped us raise so much money for them."

The Fire Fighters Charity provides treatment and support services to serving and retired fire and rescue service staff, their families and dependants.

The ball was held on 1 May at Villiers Hotel's Old Town Hall in Buckingham. The event’s main sponsors were FireAngel, who supply smoke alarms to Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service.

A total of £5,500 was raised, with £1,000 being left in the kitty to set the ball rolling for next year's fundraising effort.

Watch Manager John Robinson, who was one of the organisers, said: “We owe our success to the support of the local community and businesses who donated some great raffle prizes.

“The evening was a tremendous success – better than I ever could imagine when the idea was conceived. Guests said it was the best event they had been to in years, and some offered to pay for tickets for next year’s ball in advance."