Five firefighters from West Yorkshire fly out to Atlanta this week for a gruelling physical test held annually in tribute to the 343 New York firefighters who died on 9/11.
Watch Manager Spencer Priestley, Luke Garnett, Matty Birch, Kev Sutcliffe and Zoe Ricketts make up the West Yorkshire team taking part in the Terry Farrell Firefighters’ Fund Memorial Stair Climb, where they’ll be part of a wider group of 343 firefighters drawn from Britain and Ireland — one for every life lost that day — travelling out to climb alongside their US counterparts.
In full firefighting kit, each participant tackles 110 flights, matching the height of the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers. Beyond serving as an international act of remembrance, the event doubles as a fundraiser, with money going to the Terry Farrell Firefighters’ Fund, The Fire Fighters Charity and The Blue Light Foundation. Donations have been building steadily as family, friends, workmates and the wider community rally behind those making the trip.
Giving something back
For Spencer, the cause carries personal weight. He said: “It’s a real honour to represent West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service alongside firefighters from across the UK and Ireland. Climbing 110 floors in full fire kit will be a huge physical challenge, but it’s nothing compared to the sacrifice made by the 343 firefighters who lost their lives on 9/11.
“I’ve personally been fortunate enough to benefit from rehabilitation at one of The Fire Fighters Charity’s centres while recovering from my hip replacements, so I know first-hand the difference that support can make to firefighters and their families. Being able to give something back to a charity that has supported me during my own recovery makes taking part in this challenge even more meaningful.”
The West Yorkshire five will stand shoulder to shoulder with firefighters from Britain, Ireland and America throughout the climb — an event that both remembers those who gave their lives and channels money back into supporting firefighters, blue light workers and their families.
