Firefighters from Dartford laid down their hoses to hand over £8,000 worth of specialist equipment to Darent Valley Hospital’s Little Buds Fund.

The money was raised by off-duty crews supported by their on duty colleagues in Dartford High Street while giving fire safety advice to residents.

The funds have been used to buy two Neo puff machines, which help to regulate how much breath is given to newborn and premature babies that need help with breathing, as well as two phototherapy units that use a special type of light to shine on babies born with jaundice.

White Watch firefighter Gary Abrahams said: “We get huge support from the local community so this is our chance to give something back to improve the chances of babies born early or needing that bit of extra care.

“We receive a lot of support and a great welcome from the Dartford community. We’d like to say a huge thank you to them for their massive generosity, which will be of great benefit to the hospital and the families.”

Tracey Cummins, fundraising manager at Darent Valley said: “We are all so grateful to Dartford’s firefighters this equipment is so very much appreciated and will help staff give the very best care to our very vulnerable little lives.”