AN online fund-raising appeal has been launched to thank firefighters who helped to save a West Somerset woman when she suffered a heart attack.

A first responder crew from Nether Stowey Fire Station were the first personnel to reach and provide care for Pauline Foster when the emergency happened.

Mrs Foster’s daughter Becki Woollan said: “Thanks to them, we got to keep mum with us longer.

“Unfortunately, as many will know, we recently lost our amazing queen, a wife, mum, sister, auntie, nan, and great-nan and friend, to a short battle with cancer.

“She did not want a funeral, but a celebration of her life.”

Now, Mrs Woollan has set up a JustGiving appeal with the money raised going to the Fire Fighters Charity, which provides care and support to the UK’s ‘fire family’.

She said donations were also being collected at a celebration of Mrs Foster’s life on Saturday (August 30) and the online appeal was set up for anybody who could not attend but still wanted to make a donation in her memory, ‘no matter how big or small’.

Mrs Woollan said: “I am asking if anybody would like to make a donation in memory of Pauline.

“I know the fire station will be forever grateful.

“They do their own fund-raising by holding events such as car washing.”

Mrs Woollan set her appeal target at £500, but by Sunday (August 31) it had already raised nearly £665, including Gift Aid, from 33 supporters.

A Fire Fighters Charity spokesperson said it helped with any health and wellbeing challenges faced by firefighters, control staff, and anybody else working in, or retired from, the UK’s fire services, as well as their families.

The charity also runs a 24-hour telephone line offering immediate crisis care for ongoing suicide and mental health issues for past and present fire services personnel.