Firefighters showcased their fighting spirit on Sunday as they dragged a fire truck around Attleborough to raise funds for an eight-year-old girl.

The town's fire officers took the challenge at the Christmas lights switch-on in aid of Sophie Warnes, who suffers with cerebral palsy.

The youngster relies on a wheelchair, but has to use a manual one which is pushed by other people, meaning she is unable to be as independent as she and her parents would like. Earlier this year, her parents launched the Get Sophie Moving appeal.

Her plight has touched hearts around the area, and mother Wendy Warnes said they will soon be able to order the chair.

'She is so excited – she's practiced with one at school and wants her own desperately.

'She wants to be able to play with her friends, with her sisters – to be able to walk to the school bus. She wants to be able to do what she wants without asking,' Mrs Warnes said.

She added that the support the family have received has been 'unbelievable' and that they 'didn't expect it at all'.

'There are people who have never met Sophie who are helping out, it's amazing,' she said.

Mark Wilson, watch manager for the Attleborough fire station, said: 'It was hard work – it's a functioning machine so it would have been just as if it was on the road. We think we've raised more than £1,500 towards the cause, which is great.'

Do you have a fundraising story for us? Contact lauren.cope@archant.co.uk