Firefighters raise over £10,000 for good causes
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THURSO members of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service say they have been overwhelmed by the generosity shown in their latest fundraising campaign which took in more than £10,000.
The money has been put to good use buying four lifesaving defibrillators to be placed around Thurso and cheques have also been donated to four local charities.
The devices, which give a high-energy electric shock to the heart of someone who is in cardiac arrest, cost around £5500 in total, with an additional £1500 spent on the security cabinets to allow 24-hour accessibility.
They are to be situated at D & M Fraser's in Castlegreen Road, McColl's in Mount Pleasant Road, Thor House in Provost Cormack Drive and the police station in Olrig Street.
Cheques were also presented to Thurso Youth Club (£1000), Thurso lifeboat (£500), Stepping Stones (£1000) and Caithness branch of the Riding for the Disabled Association (£1000).
Firefighter Brian Davidson, who helped organise both the auction and the charity football match between the firefighters and the Thurso lifeboat crew, said: "We are basically just giving back to the community. Everybody was digging in deep and helping out."
He explained that local business had helped by making donations for the auction as well as supporting the football event.
Among the auction donations was a signed photo of tennis star Andy Murray.
Mr Davidson organised the events with the assistance of fellow firefighters David Bain and Karl Drummond, and said they and the rest of the crew were very grateful to the people of Thurso and the wider community who helped raise the money.
"It was a humbling experience," he said.
Local man Robbie Fraser has agreed to install the four defibrillators at their various Thurso locations.
