AN AUTISTIC youngster from Hampshire has been on a mission to support firefighters across the county.

Now Andrew Impey has celebrated the latest leg of his fundraising challenge by visiting firefighters in Eastleigh.

The 10-year-old Hampshire schoolboy took on a 25.5-mile cycling challenge to support the Fire Fighters Charity.

More than 50 firefighters turned out to support the youngster, who has been diagnosed with autism.

On his final stretch the youngster visited six stations including Wickham, Portchester and Botley before finishing at the Hampshire Fire Headquarters in Leigh Road.

He was joined by a dozen firefighters including Hampshire Fire and Rescue’s Assistant Chief Officer Andy Bowers who followed him along almost the entire route.

Others turned out to see him at the stations or cheer him on as he passed with his procession of cyclists and two fire engines.

The fundraiser, from Portsmouth, has now raised more than £1,000 for the Fire Fighters Charity and celebrated the end of his quest in the drill yard cutting a cake with rescue axes provided by a crew.

He said: “The day went really well. I wanted to raise awareness of what firefighters do, especially the retained firefighters because I think they are sometimes overlooked by the public."

“I think they do an amazing job, not everyone knows all the things they do besides fighting fires.”

His cycle ride also included visits to Southsea and Cosham stations.

ACO Bowers said: “Andrew has a special place in the hearts of us here at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and I was pleased to be able to help him in the fundraiser – although I struggled to keep up with him at points.”

It’s the latest part of Andrew’s fundraising quest as he plans to devote his days to raising money for the charity and visiting around 800 venues by his 18th birthday party.

It’s a passion which began when he visited Havant fire Station in 2014 on Christmas Eve and Andrew’s love for the fire service has seen him go so far as to decorate his bedroom like a fire station.

To find out more about Andrew’s fundraising missions or to donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/oneladschallenge.