THORNBURY Lions are trying to raise thousands of pounds to help send vital rescue equipment to Africa.

The Thornbury Lions have already raised £1,000 for the Gambia and Avon Fire Services in Partnership (GAFSIP) which helps support a rescue service in The Gambia.

GAFSIP began in 1991 when Dave Hutchings, a former Chief Fire Officer at Avon Fire and Rescue Service, was on holiday in The Gambia and witnessed a road traffic collision in which two adults and four children died, because of a lack of rescue equipment available.

GAFSIP is currently sending six fire engines no longer used by Avon Fire and Rescue Service to The Gambia.

It costs £2,500 to send each of the engines and Thornbury Lions want to be able to provide the total cost of sending one engine.

Ken Peers, spokesman for the Thornbury Lions, said: "We generally do most of our fundraising for local charities but we have had several visits and tours of Thornbury fire station and they told us a bit about this scheme with The Gambia.

"We thought it would be a good charity to give support to and we are now focusing some of our fundraising efforts on this good cause."

This week The Gambian High Commissioner, Elizabeth Ya Eli Harding, visited the Avon Fire and Rescue Service headquarters for the official handover of the six vehicles that are to be donated.

Kevin Pearson, Avon Fire and Rescue Service’s Chief Fire Officer, said: "We are delighted to be handing these appliances over to the Gambia Fire and Rescue Service. Each vehicle will be driven to Southampton and loaded into a container and shipped to The Gambia.

"Avon Fire and Rescue Service has made a real difference to the lives of people who live in and visit The Gambia, with the creation of a fire and rescue service."

To date 40 fire appliances, breathing apparatus sets, seven ambulances, a rescue tender and lots of equipment for schools and hospitals have been donated to the African country through GAFSIP.

"Without this equipment and training there would be no fire and rescue service in The Gambia, which would ultimately put more lives at risk," said Mr Pearson.

To help raise the £2,500 target Thornbury Lions will be holding a weekend long book sale at the Chantry, Thornbury, on Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26 (10am-4pm).