A CAR wash and sale raised more than £300 to help a charity which supports serving and retired firefighters.

Barrow fire station hosted the car wash and open day on Saturday and welcomed members of the public who took the opportunity to get their motors cleaned while youngsters had the chance to have a look at the fire equipment.

The day raised £310 for the Fire Fighters Charity, an organisation which supports serving or retired firefighters and their family with physical, emotional and financial assistance.

The fundraiser was organised by firefighter John Pearson-Gee, who was forced to stop work two years ago after a prolapsed disc in his spine left him unable to do the job he loves.

Faced with the prospect of a permanent switch from lifesaving duties, and having lost his confidence, the 49-year-old firefighter called on the help of the Fire Fighters Charity which helped him to get back on the fire engine.

"They have three rehabilitation centres and one – Jubilee House - is in Penrith, so I spent three weeks there having physiotherapy and other treatment," he said.

"I know the quality of care that they can give and you can't underestimate the impact it can have."

After being off work for six months, the firefighter was finally able to come back to his crew, and is now on a mission to give something back to the charity.

"I've been in the service for over 26 years so a lot of the work they did really helped to give me my confidence back," he said.

"So I'm doing some fundraising, including the Prudential RideLondon event at the end of this month, to help the charity."

Mr Pearson-Gee thanked all those who donated on Saturday and said he hoped to hold other fundraisers in the future.