Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MSP, Alasdair Allan, today waived off three island firefighters who were setting off on their way to deliver a refitted fire engine to Moldova.

The Lewis-based firefighters joined colleagues from across Scotland in Edinburgh as part of the Scottish Emergency Rescue Association (SERA) expedition that will see five fire engines and an ambulance taken to the Eastern European country.

This is the tenth year that a crew from Lewis has taken part in the initiative which is carried out in partnership with Blythswood Care.

Alasdair Allan MSP said:

“I was delighted to see off Iain, David and Alex as they set off on their epic 2,000 mile journey.

“The group have been doing lots of fundraising over the past months in order to deliver lifesaving equipment and a fully refurbished fire engineer to Moldova.

“I understand this will involve non-stop driving through Europe for 4 days before they eventually get to Moldova. I am always in awe of people who dedicate so much of their time and efforts in order to help others.

“They are doing the islands proud and I wish them the best on their mission.”