A SCHOOLBOY who raised hundreds of pounds for a hospice during Lent has been given a taste of life as a firefighter as a thank you.

Taylor Farrington, 11, raised £728.14 for St Cuthbert’s Hospice, in Durham City, earlier this year by donating his pocket money to the cause, selling homemade scones and doing odd jobs.

His story inspired Martin Hollingsworth, from red watch at Durham fire station, who invited him to take a tour of the station, ride in a fire engine and be lifted high into the air on a platform.

Taylor, from Chester-le-Street, County Durham, attended Durham fire station today (Thursday, June 19) with his mother Jacky, whose employer Indigo Software made a donation to his fundraising efforts, and his younger brother George, aged seven.

Mr Hollinsgworth said: “I thought young people don’t get enough positive press for what they do so we should make a fuss.

“What he’s done puts all our efforts to shame.”

Taylor also rode in a fire engine to St Cuthbert’s Hospice, where he handed over another donation to the facility.

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