FIREFIGHTERS washed cars to help a Cricklade blind boy raise money for a trip of a lifetime to Costa Rica.

Liam Kemble-Young attends a special school in Worcester and has to raise £1,000 towards the overall cost of the educational trip.

The event raised over £300 towards Liam's trip during which he will be working with conservationists and leatherback turtles.

The 14-year-old, who lives in Pikehouse Close, said: "It's been wonderful, the firefighters have always been supportive and it's not just them, the local pubs and clubs have also helped.

"I'm really grateful for all the support because I know some people are not so fortunate. I'm really lucky to be going on this trip and am trying to raise as much as I can. It's going to be a great experience and it will show that we are not slowed down by a sight disability."

Rob Milican, leading firefighter at Cricklade Fire Station, said his colleagues have been supporting Liam since 1993 when they did a sponsored walk wearing their breathing apparatus.

He said: "We have adopted Liam in a way some years ago and helped him with various pieces of equipment and items whatever he needs really."

Their fundraising has helped buy Liam a computer with a speech system and an embosser, which converts print into Braille.

The Costa Rican trip costs £1,800 in total but Liam's school, the Worcester RNIB College, is partly funding him.