Pupils from a referral unit wowed parents and teachers with a display of skills after spending four days of intensive training at Harrogate Fire Station.
The group of six boys and one girl from the Harrogate PRU (Pupil Referral Unit) were challenged to take part in the training by Ian Hankin and Mick Dobson of the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.
The PRU is for children aged between 11 and 16 who display challenging behaviour and are at risk of exclusion or who have been permanently excluded, school phobics and pupils who need an alternative education because of a medical need.
The seven children reported for duty on a Monday morning and spent four days training hard and forming a team before putting on a spectacular display.
Parents, tutors and supporters were invited to watch as the team demonstrated the firefighting skills and drills they had learnt.
Mayor of Harrogate, Les Ellington, also attended the event and said after the demonstration: “I hope that you think back now and again to the week at Harrogate fire station as you should be very proud. We are very proud of what you have achieved. You folk have really turned it in this week.”
The aim of the project was to give the young people a chance to spend time with the real life heroes of the fire service, in an aim to give them confidence and self belief and also an insight into a career they may not have considered before.