Appeal to restore 'ultra rare' Blitz fire engine

The fire engine with its original livery

An appeal has been launched to help fund the restoration of a fire engine which survived the Sheffield Blitz.

The 1932 Leyland engine was called into action in December 1940, when the city was devastated over two nights of bombing.

The National Emergency Services Museum together with the Sheffield Blitz Memorial Trust want to raise £9,000 to return it to its wartime colours and livery ahead of a permanent Sheffield Blitz exhibition in December.

Neil Anderson, founder of the trust, said: "This is a unique chance for the people of Sheffield and South Yorkshire to rally round and preserve a vital part of our history."

The restoration would ensure the fire engine can once again be seen as it appeared during World War Two.

Matt Wakefield, CEO of the National Emergency Services Museum, said the specialist restoration fell outside of the scope of the museum's National Lottery grant.

"That's why we're asking the public to get behind this appeal," he said.

"With their help, we can save not just an engine, but a story of courage, sacrifice and resilience that deserves to be remembered for generations to come."

The fire engine (left) is presently in Barnsley awaiting restoration.

It is hoped the engine can be part of the exhibition in December, which will mark the 85th anniversary of the bombing raids.

Mr Anderson added: "This is not just any fire engine – it is a Barnsley machine that went into the heart of the inferno to help Sheffield when it needed it most.

"It is an ultra rare survivor of those nights, but after decades of hard use it now needs saving itself."

As part of the fundraiser on GoFundMe, the trust and the museum also hope to raise an additional £11,000 to secure a "rare, roadworthy World War Two police car".

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