WILLITON firefighters have started their campaign to raise much-needed funds for disadvantaged children.

Staff from the North Street fire station are striving to raise cash to help towards the £1million Cot’s and Tots appeal target at Bristol Children’s Hospital.

And work gets underway this weekend when firefighter Mark Bulpin embarks on a gruelling 13mile run in the Taunton Half Marathon.

This will be followed by a squadron of staff from the station who will be carrying out a kayak-a-thon between Taunton and Bridgwater along the canal. Some will be running the tow path, others cycling and some taking to kayaks for the journey.

The cash raised will support the expansion of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit by providing a suite of four intensive care cot’s and state-of-the-art equipment.

It is the only Quaternary Unit in the South-West equipped to provide this level of treatment.

All donations of £5 or over will be entered into a draw to win a FATYAK Kayak and accessories worth over £350.

Contact Steve Wright on 07825-444560 to donate.