THE DUNFERMLINE-based charity International Fire and Rescue Association yesterday revealed that it has sent £400,000 of emergency equipment to South America and an ambulance to Serbia.

Uniforms and essential rescue gear donated by fire services throughout the UK are now on their way to Paraguay.

The charity is currently involved in a considerable number of projects to help countries which lack the vital equipment to save lives in the event of a fire or road accident.

Yesterday, it reached a milestone when it sent its 30th appliance to a country in need.

An ambulance named Spirit of Tiree was donated by Crusader Ambulance Services in Plymouth. It is now destined for Serbia, where it will serve a children’s hospital and school.

A crew is accompanying the ambulance to explain to people in Serbia how to operate the vehicle.

They are Alan Kay—the father of IFRA director David—plus Graham Sutherland, from Crossgates mines rescue service, and Alison Closs, who has taken part in many missions to help the war-affected region.