Fireman emerges from charity stunt

Fireman Tony Bucknall was today enjoying his first taste of freedom in a week after spending seven days living full-time in a fire engine parked in Wolverhampton city centre.

The 40-year-old father-of-two, who was raising £20,000 for a young blind girl, passed the time by chatting to friends on his mobile phone and even tried to learn the guitar, strumming Rod Stewart's Maggie May. There were cheers and applause from well-wishers yesterday afternoon as he emerged victorious from the 5ft by 6.5ft cab in Queen Street.

Mr Bucknall, from Heath Town, decided to eat, sleep and wash in the decommissioned vehicle after being touched by the plight of one-year-old Emilia Prescad, from Merry Hill, who suffers from optic nerve hypoplasia that has left her virtually blind in both eyes.

Sleeping on the floor between the back bench and the equipment he found answering nature's call and washing a little more difficult, using wet-wipes to freshen up.

Mr Bucknall, who returns to duty as Watch Commander at Wolverhampton's Merridale Street fire station tomorrow, said: "I have not done a lot - just sat on my backside in the cab for a week - but the people of Wolverhampton have been wonderful.

"They have kept me entertained and been incredibly generous with donations.

"I have not had a moment's trouble, and a window cleaner bought me a bacon sandwich every morning."

Mr Bucknall first heard of the problems faced by Emilia when her Lithuanian-born mother Inga called at the fire station out of the blue.

He said: "She asked if there was anything we could do to help her, because she was trying to raise £20,000.

"After she explained the reason, I decided to attempt to collect the lot myself. I was amazed by the result."

Mitch McKee, fire station commander for Wolverhampton, hailed Mr Bucknall as "a credit to the service".

Emilia's condition is deemed incurable by British medical experts but the cash will be spent sending her for a specialist operation in China.

Emilia's father Dean Prescad, a 35-year-old fork lift truck driver, said: "We cannot thank Tony enough."