RUNCORN firefighters are primed to get fitter and festive in aid of children with cerebral palsy.

The Blue Watch crew at Runcorn Fire Station are taking part in the annual Liverpool Santa Dash on Sunday, December 1 to raise money for the Stick ‘n’ Step charity.

The firefighters have set up a JustGiving page for the 5k run in Liverpool city centre and are hoping to amass £500 for the charity that offers support services to children with cerebral palsy and their families.

Blue Watch manager Ben Sanderson said: “Stick ‘n’ Step has two centres, one at the Tudor Hall building in York Street, Runcorn, and one in Wallasey.

“The charity does fantastic work for children with cerebral palsy, including free conductive education sessions to develop the skills needed to live independent lives.

“Children from the Runcorn centre visited us at our fire station in the summer and we returned the favour by visiting them earlier this week.

“Having met the children and learnt about how much the charity helps them and their families, we are planning on doing a series of fundraising challenges in aid of Stick ‘n’ Step.

“The first will see us run 5k in Liverpool whilst dressed as Santa Claus.

“Our faces will no doubt be as red as our Santa suits by the end of the run, but I am sure it will be a lot of fun and we are looking forward to raising vital funds for such a worthwhile cause.

“We are hoping to raise £500 for the charity. Any donations given via our JustGiving page will be greatly appreciated.”

To make a donation please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/runcornbluewatch

Anyone wishing to join the hundreds of people who will be taking part in the charity fun run should contact Stick ‘n’ Step’s head of fundraising Jenny Snell on 0151 638 0888 or 01928 573777 or email jenny@sticknstep.org.