Lancashire firefighters honour 9/11 victims in Atlanta stair climb
Four Lancashire firefighters travelled to the United States to take part in the Terry Farrell Memorial 9/11 Stair Climb, honouring the 343 firefighters who lost their lives in the 2001 terror attack
Four Lancashire fire officers travelled to the United States to honour the victims of 9/11 on the 25th anniversary of the terror attack.
Firefighters Sam Matthews, Sam Davies, Jamie Oldfield and John Burns travelled to Atlanta, Georgia, to take part in the Terry Farrell Memorial 9/11 Stair Climb, joining firefighters from across the UK, Ireland, USA and around the world.
The team say the experience was both “emotional and humbling”.
They met firefighters who had responded to the attacks and worked at Ground Zero, as well as families who lost loved ones.
Hearing their stories and seeing the pride they continue to have in those they lost brought home the significance of the event and the lasting impact of 9/11.
A Lancashire Fire and Rescue (LFRS) spokesman said: “The team were proud to represent LFRS and the UK Fire and Rescue Service, standing alongside firefighters from around the world to honour the 343 firefighters who lost their lives.
“We’re incredibly proud of Sam, Sam, Jamie and John, and would like to thank everyone who supported their fundraising efforts.”
The team climbed 110 floors in full fire kit, in temperatures exceeding 38°C, replicating the height of the World Trade Centre towers and paying tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice while responding to the attacks in New York.
They joined more than 1200 firefighters from around the world, including 243 from the UK, for the international event held at the Atlanta Braves baseball stadium.
Terry Farrell was a firefighter who lost his life following the terrorist attacks on the twin towers of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
He was among the 343 firefighters killed that day and was in Tower Two when it collapsed.
The Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund was established in his memory to assist firefighters and families across the nation with financial, educational and medical support.
Donations can still be made through the Memorial Stair Climb JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/memorial-stair-climb1 See less