FIREFIGHTERS in Yate had a busy weekend recently, but not for the reason you might think.

On Saturday, April 8, members of the public were invited to bring their vehicles to Yate Fire Station, to be washed by a firefighter in exchange for a small donation.

Dozens of people attended the charity car wash, which raised £527 for Brain Tumour Research and The Fire Fighters Charity.

Westerleigh resident Lisa Powell, 45, who suffers from a brain tumour herself, organised the event to raise awareness of her condition.

She said: "It went really well and we were amazed at the generosity of the people of Yate.

"Lots of families brought their cars to be washed by the firefighters and many of the team gave up their day off to help.

"We gave out stickers and pens to children who visited and we raised over £600 for brain tumour research and the Firefighters charity."

Lisa was diagnosed with a tumour two years ago after experiencing a bleed on her brain at work.

She since been told that she faces an operation that could leave her paralysed, but it hasn't stopped her from raising money for a good cause.

At an event in March, Lisa and her daughter Katie Powell raised over £1,000 for Brain Tumour Research at a 'Wear a Hat' event at Cambrian Green Court care home.

Katie, who attended the charity car wash alongside her mum, said: "We are so pleased with the turnout and we are so grateful to the firefighters for volunteering to help us in their spare time."

All proceeds from the day will be split between Brain Tumour Research, a charity that funds research into brain tumours, and the Fire Fighters Charity, an organisation that supports "every day heroes" in the fire community.