HARD-WORKING fire cadets raised £154 for the Swindon Night Shelter.

The youngsters bought seven camp beds with the money, which they then donated to the grateful charity.

This was the final of three social action projects they’d done over their year of training.

Ollie Kent, 13, from Wroughton, said: “It feels good that we are helping out other people who are less fortunate than us.”

Max McCrae, 12, from Stratton, said: “It makes me feel quite lucky to have the stuff that I have and it’s nice to give people something to sleep in.

“I might be a fireman when I grow up, but that would be my second choice of career.

“I’d rather be a barber.”

The Fire Cadets had showed off what they'd learned over the past eight months during Stratton Fire Station’s open day last month.

They demonstrated how to put out a fire at the top of a five-storey building using two hoses, a fire engine, and a 10.5-metre-high ladder.

They also raised money for the night shelter with a cakes and sweets stall, and collected toothpaste, toothbrushes, wet wipes, and other products for the shelter’s users.

Becky Davidson, from Swindon Night Shelter, said: “We heard great reports about the open day and all the young people who’ve supported us.

“I really appreciate all their support and hard work.”

Mark Evans, watch manager for Swindon Fire Station, said: “To involve themselves in these action plans for the Night Shelter and Cycle For Health is a massive achievement.

“I know those organisations are so grateful for their efforts.

“This is the first time we’ve run cadets in Swindon and they’ve done us proud.

“It’s set a new benchmark for our new batch of cadets in September.”