A GROUP of firefighters have been inspired by a young boy battling leukaemia to raise money for the charity which is supporting his family.

Crews from Malton fire station are taking part in a car wash to raise funds for The Candlelighter's Trust, the children's cancer charity, after reading about four-year-old Guy Metcalfe in the Gazette & Herald.

Guy, who lives in Malton, with his parents, James and Tracey was diagnosed with T-Cell leukaemia in August last year and has since undergone intensive chemotherapy.

The family are making regular trips to hospital with Guy, who is five in October, continuing to battle the disease with daily rounds of chemotherapy.

Stuart Hopkin, blue watch manager at Malton fire station, said they held the car wash each year and was traditionally in aid of the Firefighter's Charity.

"When I read the article I was touched on a personal note and wanted to do something to help Candlelighters which has supported Guy and his family," he said.

"As we hold the event at Asda, who kindly let us use their car park, I also decided to also support their charities, Tickled Pink for breast cancer and Orchid for testicular cancer, along with Candlelighters and the Firefighter's charity."

Stuart said as well as the car wash there would be a road safety stand giving out advice and related freebies.

"We will have about six to 12 firefighters there on the day, along with colleagues from Asda," he said.

"I hope people will come down on the day and donate as much as they can for these four very worthwhile charities."

Guy's dad James said they had been touched when they had heard about the car wash.

"Guy has had his ups and downs but is not on a rotating 12-week cycle of chemo for the next two years," he said.

"It is a year since he was first diagnosed so although at time it has felt like a long year, it is surprising how fast it has come round."

James said Guy would be starting at St Mary's RC Primary School in Malton next week.

"The school has been absolutely fantastic and offered a room where he can rest if he need to," he said.

"Guy loves learning but we aren't sure how he will get on as he does get very tired after the intense chemo."

James said it was fantastic the car wash would help Candlelighters.

"It is very humbling and very kind of them to do this to support us," he said.

"We will all be going down on the day and hopefully Guy will be helping to wash a car or two."

The charity car was will take place at Asda, Norton Road, Norton, on Saturday, September 12, from 11am to 3pm.