A FARNHAM couple’s beloved Toyota has been skilfully dismantled by firefighters in front of more than 1,000 awe-struck members of the public, after they donated their car in tribute to the fire service’s efforts to save their daughter almost a decade earlier.

"At last, we found a way to show our appreciation to Farnham Fire Service for their rapid response to a fire in which our daughter was involved," said Julia Quigley, who together with her husband Pat was among the spectators at Guildford Fire Station.

"Sadly, Hannah didn’t survive in 2013. But the fire service’s speed and professionalism enabled five people to benefit from her organ donations – a marvellous legacy that transformed their lives."

Julia added firefighters spent an hour carrying out CPR on Hannah, 45, to get her heart restarted, and though she was to later succumb to smoke inhalation, it meant her kidneys, corneas and liver could be donated.

"It made such a difference," said Julia, and she added the recipient of Hannah’s liver would have died "within a day" without the transplant.

Consequently, Julia and Pat had for years sought a way to repay the fire service for their heroic efforts, and by chance spotted a poster calling for scrap cars for training purposes when cycling past Farnham Fire Station.

"This seemed the perfect way to thank a service we were very grateful to," Julia continued.

"Cars for Training, a voluntary service that for the past 15 years has saved the fire service from having to spend precious resources buying vehicles, towed the car to Guildford Fire Station.

"We’d had our Toyota since 2003 and loved it to bits, so asked if they could give it a proper send-off by allowing us to see it dismembered - and so we were invited to Guildford where an open day had already been planned.

"It was a phenomenal success, and a large crowd watched the roof being removed - no sparks, all is done with air compression - and the car was reduced to an open top ’sports car’ within half an hour. We almost wanted to take it back home with us!

"We were so well looked after by the staff and thanked profusely for our car, even receiving a beautiful bunch of flowers.

"It’s well worth considering donating cars to the fire service. What could be a better way to support a vital part of our infrastructure?"

A spokesperson for Guildford Fire Station thanked Julia and Pat "wholeheartedly for their kind donation", adding: "We are thankful for any support the community can give us - any and all donations are gratefully received."

Anyone interested in donating a car should visit the website carsfortraining.co.uk - scrap vehicles can be collected wihtin a 50-mile radius of Camberley.