Norfolk firefighters join 9/11 Memorial stair climb in Atlanta
Honouring 343 fallen firefighters 25 years on
Four firefighters from Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service will join hundreds of peers from around the world in Atlanta today (September 5th) , for the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb.
This event brings together 262 firefighters from the UK, aiming to honour their 343 colleagues who died in the September 11th attacks.
Carley Ward, Matt Oxborrow, Scott Field, and Tom Field are preparing to climb 110 floors, equivalent to the former Twin Towers, at Truist Park.
The event involves scaling the stadium, temperatures permitting, in full protective gear with each participant carrying a photograph of a fallen firefighter.
Carley Ward will be carrying the image of Thomas W Kelly, alongside her colleague Matt Oxborrow, who will be honouring Robert C King.
Carley told us how much of an honour it is to be taking part in the event:
"it was something that Matt and I felt very passionate about and wanted to be a part of, being able to carry a photo of one of those that lost their lives is massive, it's a massive privilege to be able to do that ."
The training has not been easy, with frequent visits to the gyms Stairmaster in full kit. But, she says it ill all be worth it:
"I think it's going to be a real solidarity drive to keep going, but the whole atmosphere will just keep you driving on. But its so important to join our brothers and sisters over there into commemorating this massive event."
The memorial climb will raise funds for the Fire Fighters Charity in the UK, alongside the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund and Blue Light Card Foundation in the US.
These organisations focus on improving the wellbeing of fire service personnel and their families.