Lifesaving pet oxygen masks arrive at Melksham Fire Brigade

THANKS to the fundraising efforts of a group of locals, the Melksham Fire Brigade has become the first crew in Wiltshire and Dorset to be trained in the use of lifesaving pet oxygen masks.

Organised by local couple Ann and Steve Stanford, fundraisers have collected money to purchase pet oxygen masks for local fire brigades.

Ann said, “Our good friend Mary Jackson informed us about a not-for-profit organisation called Smokey Paws, who provide pet oxygen masks to fire brigades via public donations. We’ve been collecting donations from our monthly Wiltshire sighthound walks that we’ve organised over the past year and we also held a car boot sale at the Forest Community Centre back in June.

“To date we have raised enough funds, around £540, to supply Wiltshire and Dorset brigades with six sets of the life-saving oxygen masks. One set of three masks costs  £90.

“Melksham brigade have been the first crew to be trained to use the masks in Wiltshire and Dorset.

“We would like to say a massive thank you to all our walk supporters who have generously donated to this worthy cause over the past year.”

More information about the work of Smokey Paws can be found on www. smokey paws.co.uk