On Saturday 7 September, Cosham’s Red Watch crew took on a significant challenge to honour the fallen firefighters and victims of the 9/11 terror attacks, while also raising funds for the families left behind.
The team travelled to Truist Park in Georgia, home of the Major League Baseball team the Atlanta Braves, to participate in the Truist Park Charity Stair Climb. They donned full fire kit and climbed up and down 110 floors, symbolizing the height of the Twin Towers in the Manhattan skyline, to raise money for the Terry Farrell Fund, Georgia Chapter.
Crew Manager Simon Bone said:
“As serving members of the UK fire service, we remember the firefighters who climbed the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001, driven by an unwavering commitment to save lives.
“Each step we took in our fire kit and breathing apparatus was a tribute to the bravery, sacrifice, and unity of our colleagues from across the pond.
“We aimed to raise as much money as possible to support the Terry Farrell Fund, Georgia Chapter, and the fantastic work they do.”
Leading up to this transatlantic trip, the team undertook various fundraising activities, including the David Goggins challenge, where two crew members ran four miles every four hours over a 48-hour period. Additionally, they completed a fundraising stair climb at the Village Gym in Portsmouth on April 26, climbing continuously in full fire kit and breathing apparatus throughout the day.
The HIWFRS firefighters who participated in the event included: Danny Manns, Simon Bone, Sam Jackson, Tim Johnson, Jack Salter-Vaile, Josh Moors, Harry Arnold, Chris Harvey, George Hart, Richard Coe, Brian Saunders, Paul Voller, Lizzie Gray, Rhianna Edwards, and Scott Hewson.
The Terry Farrell Fund was established in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks in memory of Terry Farrell, one of the firefighters who perished in the tragedy. The Fund supports the families of firefighters across America and provides essential life-saving equipment to emergency responders.
The Portsmouth firefighters set a goal of raising £5,000 to support the families of their American counterparts and had the opportunity to visit Ground Zero and the 9/11 memorial in downtown New York City as part of their journey.
For those who wish to support their efforts, donations can still be made to their Just Giving page
You can keep up to date on their progress by following their X and Instagram pages – @redwatchcosham.
Watch Manager Simon Bone reflected on the experience:
“The climb was an incredible experience for all of us. It’s been a long road of fundraising and training for the event, but walking side by side with our American brothers proved it was all worth it. The solidarity we share with our American counterparts has only been strengthened by this climb, and we truly hope to come back and do it all again.”