Westlea Station Fireman Santa – what a lovely thing this is. A gorgeous, festive community event that delights West Swindon’s families and raises money for charity – the Firefighters Charity – as it goes.
I’ve taken what follows here from the Westlea fire station Facebook page:
A message from the Wannell family
‘This year marks the 25th year of the Westlea Fire Station’s Santa run. It’s been the honour and privilege of our family to provide our beloved vintage fire engine “Martha” to the people of West Swindon. To collect money for the Fire Fighters charity. And to provide a bit of joy and celebration to a time of year where many people struggle.
Martha is now 81 years old. She’s spent more of her miles on raising money for charity than in her service within the fire brigade in WWII.
We’re extremely lucky to be the patrons of a vehicle that means so much to the community. We’ll continue to maintain, love and provide her to the Westlea Fire Station for as long as they can run this special event.
This event began 25 years ago by our late grandfather/dad Christopher Wannell in partnership with Simon Owen and the Westlea Fire Station. It’s expanded over the years into something we could never have imagined. And we’d like to extend our thanks to the Westlea Fire Station and the volunteers who make all this possible. And of course to the people of West Swindon. They stand outside in the cold for a glimpse of Santa and give to a charity that’s so important to the life blood of the Fire and Rescue Service.
Thank you and Merry Christmas from the Wannell family.’
What a lovely, lovely thing!
About the Fire Fighter’s charity
The fire fighter’s charity offers specialist, lifelong support for members of the UK fire service community. The charity empowers individuals to live happier and healthier lives.
The charity exists to help fire fighters live happier and healthier lives. It does that by offering a broad range of health and wellbeing services both online and in person.
If you’ve not managed to catch them as they’ve been doing their rounds this Christmas and you’d like to donate you can do that here: https://www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/donate/
We had a Fire Engine like that in the village where I grew up.
The siren went and the butcher, baker etc came running
Oh that must have been fun!