FIREFIGHTERS have given a £500 boost to the Chronicle-CLIMB 5X5 Appeal after a strong-armed effort at their open day.

Cadets joined officers in a 25-mile row-a-thon, marking their support for the appeal and the 25th anniversary of the Crewe-based charity.

CLIMB founder Lesley Greene said: 'Crewe Fire Station held their bi-annual open day to promote fire safety and allow the public to see the wide range of work its officers carry out.

'Firefighters aimed to row the Channel's 25 miles but ended up doing more and raising a superb sum for us.'

Open day organiser Gareth Roberts visited CLIMB's headquarters in Nantwich Road at Crewe to hand over a cheque.

He met staff and Friends of CLIMB who volunteer their time to help run the office.

Lesley added: 'Summer has been a very busy time for fundraising. We are looking to recruit more women to join us in the Hydro Active 5k challenge which you can run or walk. Entry forms can be picked up from our offices.

'Shops can support us by selling pin badges or sponsorship for our plastic duck race on the River Waldron at Macon Meadows in Crewe on August 20. Ducks can be raced at £1 a time and there are cash prizes for the first past the finishing line.'

The charity ploughs its resources into supporting sick children and researching metabolic conditions.

They remain complex and varied. Many are susceptible to crises which can lead to organ and even brain damage, often triggered by a simple cold or virus.

Management is difficult and for many children it involves frequent trips to larger hospitals like Birmingham, Manchester or Great Ormond Street in London.

Leighton Hospital now offers a 'shared care' service in which paediatrician Bob Pugh administers care in direct consultation with experts at the bigger hospitals, meaning patients can be saved from travelling long distances.