A group of trainee firefighters took on a gruelling charity challenge across the Forth Road Bridge - in full firefighting kit.

The 23-strong group of wholetime recruits, based at Thornton training college, accomplished the exhausting three mile walk over the iconic landmark that connects Edinburgh and Fife on Thursday, November 23.

The impressive task was part of a fundraising effort in support of two charities - The Fire Fighters Charity and The Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity. 

And the dedicated group conquered the walk wearing full breathing apparatus, including a cylinder - weighing in at 25kg.

Station Manager Graham Arnott, of the SFRS training base in Thornton, Fife, said: "Crossing the Forth Road Bridge wearing full firefighting equipment is no easy task.

"All our trainees displayed great enthusiasm before and during the event, just as they have done throughout their training.

"This was a great display of the physical fitness and positive mental attitude expected of our recruits, both individually and working together as a team.

“They have been through a tough training schedule and have managed to take some time out to raise funds for two very important charities.

“They should all be proud of their charity efforts and keep thriving to maintain the high standards set within their training regime.

"I would finally like to thank the members of the public who generously donated to this effort which will assist a number of our charity partners, enabling them to continue to assist communities."

The Fire Fighters Charity is almost entirely funded through donations from the fire community and public. Whether injured, ill or in need of psychological support they exist to support the everyday heroes of the UK firecommunity.  The Fire Fighters Charity supports thousands of beneficiaries a year through a broad range of services.

Edinburgh Children’s Hospital charity believe that nothing should get in the way of being a child. They exist to transform the experiences of children and young people in hospital so they can be a child first and a patient second.  They support and complement the work of Edinburgh's Royal Hospital for Sick Children (The Sick Kids) as well as other children’s healthcare settings across Scotland.

To donate to the trainee's charity walk and to find out more visit: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/sfrsbridgewalk