From West Yorkshire to Atlanta: Firefighters take on 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb

Five West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service firefighters are heading to Atlanta this week to take on an extraordinary challenge in memory of the 343 firefighters who lost their lives on 9/11.

Watch Manager Spencer Priestley will be joined by Luke Garnett, Matty Birch, Kev Sutcliffe and Zoe Ricketts as they represent WYFRS at the Terry Farrell Firefighters’ Fund Memorial Stair Climb.

They will join firefighters from across the UK and Ireland as part of a 343-strong contingent travelling to the United States to take on the challenge alongside their American colleagues.

Climbing in memory of the 343

Wearing full fire kit, the firefighters will climb 110 floors - representing the number of floors in each of the Twin Towers. Each of the 343 firefighters travelling from the UK and Ireland will represent one of the 343 firefighters who lost their lives on 11 September 2001. The climb will bring together the international firefighting community in an important act of remembrance, while raising vital funds for the Terry Farrell Firefighters’ Fund, The Fire Fighters Charity and The Blue Light Foundation. Fundraising is already well underway, with friends, families, colleagues and communities getting behind those taking part ahead of the challenge.

For Spencer, supporting The Fire Fighters Charity has a particularly personal significance. 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.”

Flying the flag for West Yorkshire

Spencer, Luke, Matty, Kev and Zoe will proudly fly the flag for West Yorkshire in Atlanta as they stand alongside firefighters from across the UK, Ireland and the United States.

The challenge is not only an opportunity to remember the 343 firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice, but also to raise money that will continue to support members of the firefighting and blue light communities and their families.

There’s still time to get behind #TeamWYFRS and help boost the fundraising total ahead of the climb.

You can support the teams fundraising here and also here.

Everyone at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service wishes Spencer, Luke, Matty, Kev and Zoe the very best of luck as they take on this powerful challenge.

West Yorkshire will be behind you every step of the way.