Fire stations across south east London have been raising money and spreading Christmas cheer to communities in need this festive period.

Teams across London Fire Brigade have been active in their local communities, working with charities and hospitals to bring festive joy.

East Greenwich Green Watch made a Christmas Day visit to the Safari Ward at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

They raised £500 to provide presents for the children at the hospital over the holiday period.

Firefighters from Peckham also did their bit.

They raised funds for gifts for children in Southwark's Refuge Charity shelters on Christmas Day, with donations coming from Sainsbury's on Dog Kennel Hill in Dulwich.

In the week leading up to Christmas, Lambeth Red Watch visited Evelina Children's Hospital to give out donated presents.

Station Officer Adam Hills, from Lambeth Fire Station, said: "We knew that lots of the children in our Borough who were ill over Christmas would go to Evelina Children’s Hospital at St Thomas’ and wanted to do something to help them.

"We collected donations from our colleagues at Lambeth and from local businesses.

"To make the day special for the children, we dressed the fire engine up as a grotto and went as Elves and Santa to give out the gifts."

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Elsewhere, Station Officer Steve Border, from London Fire Brigade’s Positive Improvement Team, coordinated an appeal with the charity Children’s Hospital Pyjamas.

The team collected over 200 pyjamas.

Forest Hill Fire Station worked aa a central hub, with support from the Brigade’s four area teams, including the one in Lewisham.

Station Officer Steve Border said: "I wanted to make a difference, so offered storage at a fire station for the campaign.

"We wanted to help a child and their family smile when they are going through their worst nightmare at Christmas – a simple thing like a nice pair of pyjamas can help make a sick child feel more comfortable."

Bexley Borough, in cooperation with Bexley Council, collected 3000 presents for children from vulnerable families, as part of their tenth toy campaign.

Leftover presents were donated by Bexley Borough to Solace and Women’s Aid.

Besides these numerous toy and donation drives, the fire stations have opened their doors to the community for festive celebrations.

Bexley Station held a tea party for older members of the local community, providing food, company, and entertainment for around 25 guests.

Deputy Commissioner Jonathan Smith said: "I would like to thank everyone at London Fire Brigade that has been working over the Christmas period – firefighters, control officers and colleagues in our enabling services.

"As well as being ready to respond to emergencies over the festive period, I’m proud that we’ve been supporting our local communities in other ways, whether that's welcoming people into fire stations, or supporting charitable causes across London."