US-bound firefighters to honour 9/11 heroes

Five firefighters are preparing to embark on a trip to the United States where they will take part in a challenge to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Tony Watson, Laura Grinsted, Grant Whitehead, Tim Cheale and Nick Floyd, from the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, will travel to Atlanta on Thursday.

Then, on Saturday, they will take part in the 2026 Memorial Stair Climb at Truist Park alongside more than 1,200 firefighters from the United States and from around the world.

The powerful act of remembrance and solidarity will honour the 343 Fire Department of the City of New York firefighters who died after the attacks on the World Trade Centre on 11 September 2001.

"The Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service wishes Tony, Grant, Tim, Nick, and Laura every success as they represent the county in the United States," a spokesperson said.

The Memorial Stair Climb sees participants climb the equivalent of 110 floors, which matches the height of the World Trade Center's Twin Towers, which were hit by two planes before collapsing.

The firefighters, from stations in Ipswich, Stowmarket, Saxmundham and Debenham, were selected to take part through a national ballot process, before beginning training, some of which took place at Ipswich Town's Portman Road stadium.

After making the 4,323-mile (6,957 km) journey to the US, the team will complete the climb while carrying the name and photograph of one of the firefighters who died.

They will also visit US fire stations, attend memorial events and meet firefighters from across the United States before returning home on Monday.

The trip is in aid of the The Terry Farrell Fund, The Blue Light Card Foundation and The Firefighters Charity and part of a summer fundraising drive.

Despite having to cancel their planned ladder climb event in Ipswich recently, due to the wildfire at Dunwich Heath, they have raised more than £1,300.

Watson, from Stowmarket Fire Station, hopes they can "build on the momentum" and "raise as much as possible" with their efforts in the US.

"We never take that support for granted and we are hugely grateful for the generosity shown so far, but we're not stopping there," said Watson.

"Every donation will help charities that provide vital support to firefighters, emergency service personnel and their families.

"We would encourage colleagues, friends, family and members of the public to get behind this fantastic cause and help us make a real difference."

The 9/11 attacks were carried out on the morning of 11 September 2001, when 19 Al Qaeda terrorists hijacked four commercial passenger planes in the United States.

Two of them were flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, resulting in them both collapsing.

Another plane struck the Pentagon, near Washington DC, while the fourth plane crashed in rural Pennsylvania - it was believed to be destined for the US Capitol Building, also in Washington DC.

The attacks killed 2,977 people and injured tens of thousands more.

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