Hazel Millns is raising money to buy specialist pet oxygen masks to carry on Newark's fire appliances.

An animal lover is raising money to buy specialist oxygen masks to save pets’ lives.

Hazel Millns, of Bromley Avenue, Newark, has already paid for one set of masks for Newark firefighters to carry on their fire appliances.

She is now continuing her appeal, to buy more.

Hazel’s father, Richard Millns, was a firefighter at Newark for many years and she remembered him telling her about how upsetting it was when a family pet died in a fire.

“On the very first shout of his career a dog died and it stuck in his mind,” she said.

“It is heartbreaking for the firemen as well as for the family when that happens.”

Hazel has always had rescue dogs, and currently owns springer spaniel Bramble.

“If I was in a fire I think I would be more worried about my dog than myself,” she said.

After reading about the pet masks online, she contacted Newark Fire Station and found they had only one set.

“I thought, it could be the difference between a dog living and dying because they didn’t have a mask,” she said.

Masks come in sets of three sizes to suit different animals and Hazel has ordered a set from suppliers Smokey Paws.

She set up a Just Giving fun- ding page to raise the money.

On it, she said: “The UK fire and rescue services do not currently carry pet oxygen masks as standard equipment. Let’s strive to change this so that all pets caught in life-threatening circumstances have the best chance of survival.

“Our pets are our family. Let’s work together to provide the fire service with the life-saving tools needed.

Hazel had planned to raise £90 for one set of masks, but within two days of launching her appeal the target had been reached, so she is continuing the appeal to buy another set.

“Obviously there are other local stations, so I am leaving the appeal open,” she said.

Visit https://www.justgiv ing.com/crowdfunding/hazel-millns to make a donation.