THE beefy Soham firemen who pulled their 12 ton fire engine through the town to raise cash for a new school swimming pool have handed over a massive cheque for �1,226.50.

That impressive donation has brought the pool fund up to �40, 000, which means fund-raisers are more than half way to their target of �75,000.

The fire engine pull took place on September 30, the same day as the town’s famous Pumpkin Fair. Children from the Weatheralls School and St Andrew’s School decorated the fire engine before the firemen pulled the vehicle from one school to the other, in 15 minutes and 38 seconds.

Planning permission for the pool to be installed at St Andrew’s School, but used by both primary schools, has now been granted; and it has been decided that the pool will be semi-sunken.

The swimming pool association is now in the process of submitting grant applications and seeking further funding.

It is hoped to start work on the pool in the first half of 2012.

The firemen raised around �1,200 in sponsorship, and a further �562 was raised from those walking alongside with buckets, and from stalls at the Pumpkin Fair.

Planning permission for the pool to be installed at St Andrew’s School, but used by both primary schools, has now been granted; and it has been decided that the pool will be semi-sunken.

The swimming pool association is now in the process of submitting grant applications and seeking further funding.

It is hoped to start work on the pool in the first half of 2012, and the first swimming lessons will be given by late summer next year.

Forthcoming fund raising events include the Soham street fair on December 9, and the Traveller Crafts Fair at the children’s centre on December 10.