Northern Ireland

Co Down community comes together to support firefighters tackling fires in the Mourne Mountains

Co Down school boy Charlie Thomson and his sister, Erin have so far helped raise more than £3,700 to help buy supplies of bottled water and food for the firefighters who are tackling fires on the Mourne Mountains
Co Down school boy Charlie Thomson and his sister, Erin have so far helped raise more than £3,700 to help buy supplies of bottled water and food for the firefighters who are tackling fires on the Mourne Mountains Co Down school boy Charlie Thomson and his sister, Erin have so far helped raise more than £3,700 to help buy supplies of bottled water and food for the firefighters who are tackling fires on the Mourne Mountains
By Marie Louise McConville

WHILE the fires on the Mourne Mountains prompted calls for people to avoid the area, the devastating emergency also brought together others, who wanted to do what they could to support the firefighters.

While some local businesses donated various supplies to keep the Fire Service teams going, others offered complimentary hot food takeaway.

Co Down schoolboy Charlie Thomson was so moved by what he saw from the window of his family home that he told his mother, Nichola that he wanted to do something to help.

The 12-year-old set out to raise £1,500 to "bring crates of bottled water and some snacks for energy to the brave guys and girls fighting the fire and putting their lives at risk to protect us all in the town".

Nichola Thomson set up a JustGivingPage for her son and so far last night, more than £3,900 had been raised.

Charlie's mother also posted regular updates showing bottled water and other supplies packed into a car to be taken to the firefighters.

Posting on JustGiving, Nichola said her son, who has learning difficulties, had been left "petrified we were going to have to be evacuated during the night due to the fire" before adding: "I'm so proud at the thought of him wanting to spend his savings on helping out".

Other businesses in Newcastle also wanted to do what they could to help the firefighters.

Doc's Fish and Chips in the town posted a photo on Facebook of two firefighters with complimentary hot food they had donated.

The Spar and Barbican SuperValu in the town also played their part donating supplies including food and water to the firefighters.

Russell Gaelic Union in Downpatrick also gathered donations for the fire crews.

Posting on Facebook, the club said it was "delighted to make a small contribution to our courageous firemen, many of whom are members of our local clubs, who are working hard to dampen the flames in the Mournes".

Charlie Thomson's fundraising also helped fund other supplies for the firefighters
Charlie Thomson's fundraising also helped fund other supplies for the firefighters Charlie Thomson's fundraising also helped fund other supplies for the firefighters
Doc's Fish and Chips in Newcastle donated complimentary takeaways to the firefighters who were dealing with gorse fires on the Mourne Mountains
Doc's Fish and Chips in Newcastle donated complimentary takeaways to the firefighters who were dealing with gorse fires on the Mourne Mountains Doc's Fish and Chips in Newcastle donated complimentary takeaways to the firefighters who were dealing with gorse fires on the Mourne Mountains
The Spar in Newcastle sent complimentary supplies to the firefighters who have been fighting fires on the Mourne Mountains for the past four days
The Spar in Newcastle sent complimentary supplies to the firefighters who have been fighting fires on the Mourne Mountains for the past four days The Spar in Newcastle sent complimentary supplies to the firefighters who have been fighting fires on the Mourne Mountains for the past four days
Edel Curran, chair of Russell Gaelic Union Downpatrick, hands over supplies for the firefighters tackling the fires in the Mourne Mountains to Damien Trainor, who's son, Damien is among those fire fighters
Edel Curran, chair of Russell Gaelic Union Downpatrick, hands over supplies for the firefighters tackling the fires in the Mourne Mountains to Damien Trainor, who's son, Damien is among those fire fighters Edel Curran, chair of Russell Gaelic Union Downpatrick, hands over supplies for the firefighters tackling the fires in the Mourne Mountains to Damien Trainor, who's son, Damien is among those fire fighters
Barbican SuperValu in Newcastle also sent donations of drinks and food to firefighters
Barbican SuperValu in Newcastle also sent donations of drinks and food to firefighters Barbican SuperValu in Newcastle also sent donations of drinks and food to firefighters