Firefighters memorial climb challenge at Clifford’s Tower

A team from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service took on a stair climb today (August 1) at Clifford’s Tower in York to honour the 343 firefighters who lost their lives during the 9/11 attacks.

The firefighters climbed up and descended the tower’s stairs 343 times with each ascent representing one of the firefighters who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

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The challenge, which began at 6pm, is part of the team’s preparation for an international memorial event – with many other crew members joining them for the night.

In September, nine North Yorkshire firefighters will travel to Atlanta, Georgia to take part in the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund Memorial Stair Climb, which will raise money for The Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund , The Fire Fighters Charity, and The Blue Light Card Foundation.

343 firefighters from the UK and Ireland will climb the equivalent of 110 floors in Truist Park baseball stadium in Atlanta, Georgia –  representing the height of the World Trade Center towers.

The nine taking part are: Station Manager Mike Sutcliffe, Watch Manager Daz Smith, Crew Manager Steve Simpson, Ash Davis, Toni Wooff Pepe, Josh Beagle, Dom Wood, Rik Duckworth, and Tim Weller.    

Mike said: “We’re going to be climbing at the Atlanta baseball stadium standing shoulder to shoulder with American firefighters, which will be amazing.

“We thought before we fly out, we’d do a bit of a pre-event and some fundraising here and get some more donations for the charities. What better place is there than Clifford’s Tower? Perfect set of stairs here.

Completing the first of 343 climbs and onto the next (Image: Alice Kavanagh)

“It’ll be hard, because we’re going to be doing it in full fire kit as well. In the Atlanta heat, it’s going to be warm, but it’ll be one hell of an experience and we can’t wait to get out there.”

The firefighters have also been supported on their trip by Hilton York, who have been able to help the crew with their accommodation on the trip down to London to fly out.

Julianne, who works for Hilton, said that the hotel became aware of the trip through one of their supervisors – who’s husband Rik is one of the nine firefighters taking part in the challenge.

Firefighters outside the Hilton York (Image: Alice Kavanagh)

She added: “Rik came to me about two months ago to ask if there was anything we could do to help them arrange accommodation, before they flew out.  We said absolutely – we’ve pulled some strings and we’re really happy to help them with a good discount.”

Chief Fire Officer Jonathan Dyson said:  “This is a global challenge, honouring those who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks. We are proud to support it, and for our teams to take part and raise funds, alongside their peers from around the world.

One of the fire crew poses with the donations QR code and truck (Image: Alice Kavanagh)

“They will stand together, and climb together, remembering this tragic event 25 years ago.”    

The Clifford’s Tower event also raise funds for the trip and the cause through collection buckets and a website where online donations can be made.