GET your car cleaned for a donation to a good cause was the idea behind a car wash day at Weymouth Community Fire Station.

The money raised was split between the Fire Fighters’ Charity and a fund set up by Rosemary Locock to help finance the publication of a book she has spent the last few years writing about her late daughter Karina Glynn.

The book is an emotional account, complete with pictures and cuttings, chronicling Karina’s 20-month battle with cancer and how the family struggled to come to terms with her death.

As well as acting as a form of therapy to help with her own grieving. Mrs Locock says it may assist others going through a similar experience.

Profits from the sale of the book, ‘Karina’, will go to the hospital wards in Dorchester and Southampton where she was treated before her death at 17. The book will be launched on June 1, the 10th anniversary of her death.

Mrs Locock, who works for Dorset Fire and Rescue Service and lives at Upwey, said the car wash day was a success with a four-figure sum raised in total.

Mrs Locock lent a hand but as chief co-ordinator left most of the washing to members of Blue Watch, family and Karina’s friends.

Drinks, bacon rolls and cakes were served up and Michelle Mott was mascot Welephant.

Mrs Locock said: “When I was writing the book I never thought I would see the end of it but it’s finished now.”

“It was Karina’s wish this book was written and she hoped it would be an inspiration to others. She said if it could help one person going through a similar ordeal it would make her feel better.”

Priced £12.50, it will be on sale at the station and at fire service HQ in Dorchester and Imagine Books in Weymouth.