A CHARITY car wash at Barrhead Fire Station proved to be a clean winner.

Youngsters from the Police Scotland Youth Volunteers (PSYV) were prepared to get their hands dirty as they made sure cars, vans and bikes that stopped off at the fundraising event were in sparkling condition by the time they drove off.

Supported by local firefighters, the eight-strong team armed themselves with sponges and buckets on Saturday to coin in cash for the PSYV and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Family Support Trust.

More than £300 was raised, with 50 vehicles being spruced up by the clean team.

PC Jim Bain, who was the driving force for the event, told the Barrhead News: “It went really well. We raised £331, which will be split between the Police Scotland Youth Volunteers and the fire service’s family support charity.

Barrhead News: Gillian McDonnell, Kevin James and Cameron Moffat at Barrhead fire stationGillian McDonnell, Kevin James and Cameron Moffat at Barrhead fire station

“The PSYV has recently had its funding cut, so we asked the kids to come up with some fundraising ideas. My son, Sean, came up with the idea of the car wash.

“Initially, we planned to use the backyard at Barrhead Fire Station to do the car wash but, as the crews there also do a similar event every year, we decided to do it together. That way, if the guys were sent out on a call, we’d be able to keep the car wash going until they got back.

“It worked out really well. Myself and PC Kimberly Shanahan were the two adults from the PSYV and there were six youths from our group as well, added to the six fire service staff who were on duty at the station.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better day. I think we all got a wee bit sunburnt.”

Jim, 46, added: “We did a lot of advertising beforehand in the shops around Barrhead and The Subway and Domino’s stores in Barrhead Main Street provided us with some refreshments, which kept us going.

“I reckon there were around 50 vehicles that took part in the car wash. It was a good turnout and we asked each driver for a donations.

“Bonnyman Chemicals, in Beith, provided us with all the supplies free of charge, which was amazing, so it’s a big thank-you to them and to everyone who came along to get their car washed.”