Toy-filled fire engines' festive joy for hospitals

The fill-a-fire engine donation team arrived at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire to deliver toys to children who will be in hospital for Christmas

Firefighters have dropped off several engines full of toys to children who are spending Christmas in hospital.

The fill-a-fire engine appeal was started three years ago by Daniel McQuillan and colleague Darren Hutchinson.

Mr McQuillan, who is based at Coventry Community Fire Station, said it had been a busy festive period.

In the past few days teams have been to Birmingham Children's Hospital and the children's wards at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, where he said youngsters were "over the moon".

"Ones that were well enough were allowed to come down sit in the fire engine, press the lights and everything like that," Mr McQuillan told BBC Radio CWR.

"I love doing it every year it's fantastic. It's just nice to give something back."

Daniel McQuillan has been leading the appeal.

The appeal appeal was launched by Mr Hutchinson after his son was treated in hospital in Birmingham.

"We're in a very privileged position and we are just the facilitator of this," Mr McQuillan added.

"[The] people who donate and get involved [are] the ones that make the real difference.

"We have so many people that get involved [and] every year it seems to get bigger and bigger."