A CHARITY car wash this weekend will raise money for The Fire Fighters Charity and the Friends of Otley Lido.

On Saturday, March 5, firefighters from Otley Fire Station will raise funds while making cars sparkle. Donations will go towards The Fire Fighters Charity who provide support and rehabilitation to the fire and rescue community. Firefighters have nominated the Friends of Otley Lido to be their charity partner with proceeds being split between the two organisations.

The Fire Fighters Charity has been supporting the fire services community for 75 years. The Charity started by supporting bereaved families of firefighters killed during the Blitz and has now evolved into a modern-day service that provides life enhancing health and wellbeing support to the whole fire community.

The charity is there for every one of the UK’s serving and retired members of fire and rescue staff – and their families.

The charity car wash takes place from 10am until 4pm. Entrance is via the Sainsbury’s car park via a one way system through the fire station and out onto Bondgate.

Emma Hawthorn, Crew Manager at Otley Fire Station said : “As a fire and rescue service, we deal with a wide range of incidents that include water rescues and flooding.

"We have nominated the Friends of Otley Lido because we feel it is crucial that all people learn to swim whatever age or ability they are and have an awareness of how to be safe around water. We’ve got firefighters at station that learnt to swim there when they were younger and have fond memories of playing at the lido, so we’d love to see it open again and have our future children and grandchildren learn there.”

Sarah Langlii from the Friends of Otley Lido Fundraising Team added: “We're delighted to have been chosen as the charity partner for this event and are looking forward to washing cars alongside the fire station crew. The car wash is a great way to raise money for both the lido and Fire Fighters Charity and we're sure the local community will support it. We will also be around to give an update about what we've been up to recently. “