Staff story
Challenge complete. Mission continues as West Yorkshire firefighters prepare to head to Atlanta
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service firefighters have completed an extraordinary fundraising challenge as they prepare to honour the 343 firefighters who lost their lives while responding to the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre on 11th September 2001.
Firefighter, Kev Sutcliffe and Crew Commander, Matty Birch successfully completed a gruelling stair climber challenge at a local gym in Guiseley, climbing an incredible 1,340 storeys in just 4 hours and 46 minutes - the equivalent of 8.2 Burj Khalifas.
The challenge was designed to raise vital funds and awareness ahead of this September’s Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund Memorial Stair Climb in Atlanta, Georgia.
In September, Kev and Matty will be joined by Watch Manager Spencer Priestley as they travel to the United States alongside 343 firefighters from across the UK and Ireland.
Together, they will climb the equivalent of the 110 floors of the World Trade Centre, standing shoulder to shoulder with firefighters from around the world to honour the 343 FDNY firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice while responding to the terrorist attacks on 11th September 2001.
Firefighter, Kev Sutcliffe said:
“It was a tough challenge, both physically and mentally, but we worked through it together as a team and kept each other going every step of the way. In total, we climbed the equivalent of 8.2 Burj Khalifas, and we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved."
“We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us, donated and followed our journey so far. Your generosity means a great deal to us and is helping make this incredible opportunity possible. Now our focus turns to September as we prepare for the biggest challenge of them all – climbing in honour of the 343 firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice on 11th September 2001.”
The annual memorial stair climb is organised by the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund and is one of the world’s most moving firefighter remembrance events. It brings together members of the global fire service to honour those who gave everything in the line of duty while recognising the values that unite firefighters across the world: courage, commitment and service.
Funds raised through the team’s challenge will support:
A huge thank you to everyone who has donated, shared messages of support and encouraged the team throughout their fundraising journey.
You can find out more about the team’s challenge and support their fundraising efforts by visiting their fundraising page here.
Together, we honour the 343. Together, we remember.
Media Contact: Oly Woodcock - oly.woodcock@westyorksfire.gov.uk
