MORE than 250 fire service staff will row 800 miles in aid of heroic Bolton firefighter Steve Morris.

The energetic workers are using rowing exercise machines to pull a distance equivalent to rowing Lands End to John O’Groats in 10 hours.

The money raised will go to the Firefighters Charity and the burns unit at Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester, where Mr Morris is being treated.

Mr Morris, aged 38, suffered 50 per cent burns in a house fire started when a blazing wheelie bin was pushed against the front door of the house in Little Holme Walk, Great Lever.

Hameeda Begum, aged 71, died in the blaze. Her five-year-old granddaughter, Alana Mian, died in hospital several weeks later. Her mother, Saima, was also seriously injured and spent two months at Wythenshawe Hospital.

The rowing event will be held at the Trafford Centre in Manchester on Wednesday, December 2.