CORSHAM firefighters presented a cheque for more than £4,200 to Wiltshire Air Ambulance, following a fundraising challenge last summer.

Thirteen on-call firefighters from the town travelled to North Wales in July to climb Mount Snowdon in full uniform.

The 1,085m ascent was achieved via the Llanberis path, and money was raised via sponsorship and donations on the day from other walkers on the mountain.

Firefighter Andy Webster said: “The climb itself was brilliant. I think we confused a few people on the way up when they saw us in fire kit, but there was a lot of support as well.

“We are delighted to have raised so much for the air ambulance, and we’ve now handed over a cheque for £4,252.29.”

The decision to do the climb came from the fire station’s social club, which looks to support good causes as well as organise activities for the firefighters and their families.

Mr Webster added: “We decided at the beginning of the year that we wanted to support the air ambulance this year. Sadly, we often meet the crew at incidents, and we’ve seen firsthand what a brilliant job they do.”

It is not the first time that the Corsham crew had taken on an endurance feat for charity while wearing fire kit.

In April 2013, firefighters walked the 22 miles between Devizes and Bath along the Kennet & Avon Canal towpath raising thousands of pounds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association and the Fire Fighters Charity.

Rebecca de la Bedoyere, fundraising manager at Wiltshire Air Ambulance, said: “We are so grateful to the firefighters from Corsham who raised money for Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

“The way they did it was amazing and inspiring. Our aircrew regularly work alongside fire crews when attending emergencies, so for them to raise funds for us is fantastic and hugely appreciated.”