FIRE crews in Salisbury have been protecting the people of the city from their base in Ashley Road for 50 years this year.

And to celebrate their golden year they have planned a series of events to help local people even further, marking the anniversary of the move from the old fire station in Salt Lane with a range of fundraising events and challenges.

Station manager Mike Bagnall said: “We do hold lots of fundraising events anyway, but usually for the Fire Fighters Charity. We thought it would be a great way to mark this anniversary by raising money for local good causes.”

The first target they have set themselves is to help an eightyear- old disabled boy who lives with his family next to the station get a new specialist trike.

Jayden Beaven was left severely brain damaged after nearly drowning in a swimming pool in July 2011. The accident destroyed parts of Jayden’s brain and left him unable to move or communicate.

He needs regular physiotherapy to stop his muscle atrophying and the trike would be a great help in this process. The specialist piece of equipment costs £3,000 and the firefighters want to help Jayden’s family raise the money.

His mother, Debbie Brown, 25 said: “The movement would be so beneficial to him, not just for his muscles but also for his breathing. Ten minutes on one of these trikes would be like hours of the exercises we do with him.”

On parade at the old fire station in Salt Lane The training tower Celebration events to fund local good causes The first event being run by the team at the fire station will be the 50 for 50 cycle sportive on Saturday, May 25, starting at 10am.

Cyclists will follow a 50-mile route from Salisbury via Amesbury, Durrington, Shrewton and Codford, through the Wylye Valley and back to the station.

There will also be a 10-mile route suitable for families and children.

Mr Bagnall said: “It would be lovely if lots of people got involved and helped to make this first event a big success.”

Plenty more events are being planned throughout the year including a fire station open day on July 12 from 11am to 4pm, a dinner dance at Salisbury Guildhall, car boot sales, car washes, a run and even tackling the Three Peaks Challenge.

To sign up for the cycle events go to salisburyfirestation.info or email mike.bagnall@wiltsfire.gov.uk. Mr Bagnall is also inviting members of the public to nominate other local good causes the fire fighters can support.