An Angus councillor spent a day in the boots of a firefighter, as part of a personal fund-raising effort following the abduction and murder of her niece.
Accompanied by a crew from Tayside Fire and Rescue, Helen Oswald undertook a “triathlon,” which saw her negotiate a fireman’s pole before driving a 24-ton engine in Perthshire then plunging into the river Tay.
The unusual activities were organised to benefit The Moira Fund, a charity set up following the death of Moira Jones in May 2008.
Slovakian Marek Harchar was convicted of abducting, robbing, raping and murdering the 40-year-old, and was sentenced to a minimum of 25 years in prison.
Moira’s parents set up the charity to help others bereaved by murder or manslaughter, with Councillor Oswald keen to support the cause.
The action packed schedule began on Sunday at around 9.30am, with the Angus SNP leader arriving at Dundee’s Blackness Fire Station to negotiate the station’s fireman’s pole.
After that she was taken to a field in Perthshire, where she drove a fire truck and was then “rescued” from the Tay in a series of rope-handling and boat exercises.
After completing the challenges, the Carnoustie councillor said, “It was a great day and a great opportunity to raise the profile of the fund to a group of people who would perhaps not be aware of it.
“The fireman’s pole was great fun, and it was so good I went down twice. Driving the fire engine was really quite awesome I was in awe of the sheer size of the vehicle and how easy it was to manoeuvre.
“It was good to experience driving under blue light conditions as part of the training exercise, and it really opened my eyes to what the firefighters have to do.”
Councillor Oswald, a member of Tayside Fire and Rescue Board, said the experience had given her an insight into what life is like on the front line.
The Moira Fund makes grants to individuals bereaved through violent death, which includes supporting access to specialist bereavement counselling and provision of respite.
The charity also offers participation in a support network for individuals whose lives have been affected by murder or manslaughter.
To sponsor Councillor Oswald, or for more information on the fund, visit www.themoirafund.org.uk, contact her on 01241 859876 or by email at eandhoswald@tiscali.co.uk.