Firefighters, touched by the story of a little girl whose wish is to walk, have donated £3,000.

Every year at Christmas crews from Deal set up their festive train set in the High Street collecting donations for the Firefighters Charity and local good causes.

This year they collected more than £6,000 and they gave 50% to six-year-old Ellice Barr’s campaign for lifechanging selective dorsal rhizotomy surgery and rehabilitation.

The station’s watch manager and charity club secretary Paul Evans, said: “We had an excellent year of collecting in the town.

“The money we collect is usually split into smaller parts and donated to several local charities.

“However Ellice’s cause really touched us so we lessened the amount of causes we are giving to this year.”

The remaining 50% is automatically donated to The Fire Fighters Charity.

Ellice, a pupil at The Down’s primary, has cerebral palsy and relies on a wheeled frame for mobility.

The firefighters’ substantial donation takes the campaign total past the £20,000 mark, two thirds of what is needed for the youngster’s operation and rehabilitation, which is hoped to allow her to walk unaided.

Her family would like to secure the full sum of £65,000 by July, paving the way for the operation during the summer holidays.

Ellice's dad Joe Barr, assistant manager at Aldi in Dover, said: “We were just gob smacked when the fire station got in touch to tell us they were donating £3,000.

“We know it’s tough times for many people but yet the town is still coming out to support us.

“It makes my move from Dover to Deal five years ago the best thing I’ve done. There’s just such a great community spirit here.”

The family collected the donation from the station last week with firefighters showing Ellice and her brother Jay around the station, including a VIP ride in the fire engine.

On your marks, get set, go green!

Ellice Barr and her family are inviting people to dress in green in exchange for a donation to her Wish to Walk campaign, tomorrow.

Mr Barr said: “Green is the chosen colour of cerebral palsy and March is cerebral palsy awareness month.

“We want to kick-start the month by inviting people to do this for Ellice. By donating a fee to wear green, they will be helping her wish to walk come true.”

Schools including The Downs, Northbourne and Sandown primary have already pledged their support, plus staff at Lloyds Banks in Deal, Ashford and Margate.

Sixth formers at Goodwin Academy are also joining in.

Go Green donations can be made here.

Alternatively, drop them into the Mercury office by March 8, or contact the family directly to organise a private collection.

Don’t forget to take pictures of your green day and send them to mercurynews@thekmgroup.co.uk