Hove firefighters have beaten their target to raise just short of £4,500 through a charity pull.
They dragged a ten-ton engine for five-and-a-half miles along a route from Grand Avenue in Hove via Western Road to the North Laine in Brighton and then back to Hove.
Members of the public dug deep into their pockets, giving generously and cheering them along the way.
The crew, from Green Watch at the fire station in English Close, Hove, sported festive deer antlers, with the driver dressing up as Father Christmas.
And the fire engine was draped in fairy lights.
The idea behind the stunt was two-fold – to raise awareness of the dangers of motorists being distracted while driving and pedestrians not concentrating when near the road.
Local schools were invited to design posters illustrating the safety message and these were displayed on the fire engine.
Firefighters Kieran Wood and Daren Smith organised the pull, which took place yesterday, to raise awareness and also to raise money for Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice and the Fire Fighters Charity.
The pair said: “It was a fantastic day.
“The people we came across along the way were absolutely brilliant and gave generously.
“We are pleased with the huge success of the event and a big thank you to all those who donated.
“We can assure them that this money is going to a fantastic cause.”
