Youngsters went out in a blaze of glory after becoming mini firefighters for the day.
The action-packed day at Cambridge Fire Station was organised for siblings who are either bereaved or have a brother or sister receiving care at the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) base in Milton.
Thirteen children were given a guided tour of a fire engine and shown how to use equipment, including having a go at rolling out giant hoses.
They enjoyed races to get dressed in full firefighting uniform, including boots and helmets, sat in an engine and squirted water from hoses.
Another highlight was working in teams to use inflatable boats and rescue a toy animal – just as firefighters may do when saving someone from a pond, lake or river.
EACH Play Specialist Helen Thrower said: “It was such a great day and our thanks go to the entire Green Watch crew at Cambridge Fire Station.
“They went to a great deal of effort to give the children a fabulous day.
“They were very enthusiastic, had so much time for us and couldn’t do enough.”
The children enjoyed a packed lunch together and were given stickers and activity packs to take home.
The day started and finished at Milton, where the group travelled by luxury coach courtesy of Dews Coaches.
The Cambridge-based company are long-term supporters and provide transport for sibling days completely free of charge.
EACH runs sibling days during the school holidays, for children aged five upwards.
They allow siblings to come together, have fun and make friends in a safe environment.
EACH supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Essex and Norfolk.
In addition to Milton, it also has The Treehouse, in Ipswich, and The Nook, in Framingham Earl, near Norwich.
Pictures: Dik Ng/EACH
