Fire Service team completes 9/11 memorial climb to mark 25-year anniversary

A team of eight Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service firefighters have completed an emotional stair climb challenge in the United States, in memory of the firefighters who lost their lives 25 years ago during the 9/11 attacks.

Mick, Carly, Dean, Georgie, Dan, Ava, Ronnie and Toria travelled to Atlanta, in Georgia, on 3 September to join forces with more than 1,200 firefighters from across the globe for a special fundraising event.

Each team member climbed 110 floors at the Atlanta Braves Stadium on Saturday (September 5), the equivalent height of the former World Trade Center towers, as a mark of respect to remember the 343 New York City Fire Department firefighters who lost their lives while responding to the attacks on September 11, 2001.

More than 200 UK firefighters took part in the event and have raised more than £17,000 (at the time of writing).

The money will be donated to The Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund, The Fire Fighters Charity and The Blue Light Card Foundation.

Firefighter Georgie Abbott of Burton Latimer Fire Station said: “Everyone gave everything they had and everyone who travelled from this Service completed the challenge.

“It was a totally self-funded trip, which paid for travel and also helped to raise funds for three charities, which goes to show the determination of the whole team.

“Watching them all push through when it got tough was so inspiring and I couldn’t be prouder of every single one of them.”

A service was held before the climb to remember those who died before each firefighter set off carrying a photo of a firefighter who passed away.

The firefighters were also wearing their full kit for the climb, which weighed an additional 9kg.

Georgie added: “There was a powerful atmosphere throughout the stadium as we knew we were there to honour the 343 firefighters, their families and everyone still being affected by 9/11 today.

“So, having the opportunity to take part as fellow firefighters, and speak to first responders who were there during 9/11, made it so much more personal for us.”