DURING the past decade, firefighters from Oxfordshire have cleaned cars, taken part in fun runs and cycled from John O’Groats to Land’s End to raise an estimated £1m.

The funding has supported The Fire Fighters Charity, which helps injured firefighters and their families, or retired firefighters who have fallen on hard times.

Now Oxfordshire County Council’s fire brigade is one of five shortlisted at the charity’s Spirit of Fire Awards for Brigade of the Year.

Firefighters in the county raised £111,000 during the past year, with car washes, fun runs and a collection at St Giles’ Fair. A further £11,000 was raised through donations to clothing collection bins.

Chris Wilson, Oxfordshire’s Brigade Secretary for the Fire Fighters Charity, said: “Firefighters in the county have gone the extra mile and I’m hopeful the brigade will win.

“Hook Norton won Station of the Year for fundraising last year but we lost out to Wiltshire for Brigade of the Year after being shortlisted.”

Chief fire officer Dave Etheridge added: “This nomination is an impressive accolade, which recognises the unwavering efforts of members of our brigade to show support and raise money for The Fire Fighters Charity.

“We have raised more than £1m for good causes over the past decade.”

Last year, a team of 14 firefighters and a soldier from Dalton Barracks raised an estimated £30,000 for injured colleagues and servicemen by riding 874 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End.

The charity cycle in June raised funds for the charity and for Help for Heroes which supports injured servicemen. Collections were held outside supermarkets including Sainsbury’s in Witney.

Nathan Crockford, 36, crew manager at Burford fire station, was part of the support team for the bike ride, but could not take part because he had been involved in a motorbike accident. He said: “I’ve used the facilities in Devon to help with my rehabilitation so I know exactly how the charity can help.

“The brigade aims to raise about £120,000 every year for the charity and this is a very important nomination for us. It gives us credibility.”

The Fire Fighters Charity helps thousands every year by providing pioneering treatment and support. Its three centres in Devon, Cumbria and West Sussex offer therapy and rehabilitation to serving and retired firefighters and their families.

It costs £9m every year to keep the charity running, and with no government funding, it relies upon donations from the public and firefighters.

The other shortlisted brigades are Surrey, North Yorkshire and Gloucestershire. The Spirit of Fire Awards take place on Friday, November 4, in London.