Coggeshall Fire Station thanks residents after car wash

The crew at Coggeshall Fire Station welcomed residents whose cars were in need of a shine during a six hour wash-a-thon on Sunday.

And while the motorists waited for their car, they could enjoy a bite of the delicious homemade cakes on offer.

The event proved so popular that cars were still queuing in Colne Road half an hour after the event finished at 4pm.

Hosed down – Michael Lawrence sprays a car with water (Image: Justin Knopp)

Spray – Dale Martin uses the fire engine’s hose to wash a car (Image: Justin Knopp)

Happy customer – Steve Cooling-Smith and his young son (Image: Justin Knopp)

All in all £950 was raised in aid of The Fire Fighters Charity and the Friends of St Peter’s School.

Organiser and experienced firefighter Paul Shearman said the crew was delighted with the cash stumped up.

He said: “Our crew were overwhelmed with the amount of support from our local community.

“A constant flow of cars and help from the Friends of St Peters serving refreshments saw £950 raised for two great causes.

Hard at work – Paul Shearman (Image: Justin Knopp)

Busy – residents watch on as their cars are given a shine (Image: Justin Knopp)

Impressed – Olivia Dudley-Smith tries on some of the kit (Image: Newsquest)

“Due to circumstances beyond our control this is the first event we’ve been able to hold in almost five years and to be given the level of support we received was truly amazing.”

Coggeshall Fire Station is a community station which is crewed by part-time, on-call firefighters

Watch manager Paul Adams said he was delighted to have seen the event be so well supported.

“The crew did a fantastic job cleaning a huge amount of cars and raising much-needed funds for two very worthwhile causes,” he said.

All smiles – Ian Street (Image: Justin Knopp)

Team effort – some of the crew at Coggeshall Fire Station (Image: Justin Knopp)

Pleased – two happy customers leave the fire station (Image: Justin Knopp)

Progress – a crowd watches on (Image: Justin Knopp)

“These firefighters regularly give up their time to attend community events and raise vital funds for local causes.

“The car was is a good example of this where the crew managed to raise almost £1,000 to support the village’s primary school and a charity which helps firefighters.

“It was another really good effort from all involved and we’re already looking forward to the next event.”