A COLLECTION by firefighters for a brave youngster touched the hearts of shoppers at the weekend.
Retained firefighters based at the County Durham and Darlington brigade's headquarters spent Saturday in Durham City's Market Place collecting money for 11-year-old Rachel Spence.
Rachel, of Escallond Drive, Seaham, County Durham, was diagnosed with a tumour on the stem of her brain before Christmas.
Fundraisers are now working to make her dream of swimming with dolphins become a reality.
Seven firefighters spent the day collecting money and passers-by were only too happy to contribute.
Firefighter Allan Pattinson said: "We reckon we got £1,822.85, even though there didn't seem to be as many people about as normal. It is a brilliant response.
"I was talking to Peterlee fire station and all the watches there have donated £500 on top of that.
"We took a fire engine, which attracts people, and one of the lads dressed up as Fireman Sam, and we put out some boards telling people why we were collecting."
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