Region's fire crews pay tribute to 9/11 victims

46 minutes ago

Tom MacDougalland

Jim Scott,North East and Cumbria

News image — A team from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue walked 343 miles in memory of the 343 firefighters killed on 9/11

BBC/Jim Scott Four middle-aged, male firefighers are standing in Newcastle City Centre wearing their firefighting kit and carrying their yellow or white helmets. — A team from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue walked 343 miles in memory of the 343 firefighters killed on 9/11

Fire crews across the region have been paying tribute to victims of the 9/11 attacks.

In total 2,977 people were killed, including 343 firefighters and 67 Britons, after two planes hijacked by Al Qaeda were flown into the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in New York on 11 September, 2001.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue staff walked a collective 343 miles in full kit to commemorate the fallen firefighters, with Cleveland Fire Brigdade climbing the number of steps in the two buildings, and Cumbrian firefighters climbing the height of one of the towers.

Meanwhile, St Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School paid tribute to former student Gavin McMahon, who was the only victim from the North East.

Tyne and Wear station manager Andy Nelson said: "It's very important for us to remember those who paid that ultimate sacrifice, a lot of emergency responders went to work and never came home."

His team set off at 09:00 BST and repeatedly walked a one mile loop around Newcastle City Centre until they reached their target distance.

Elliott Ennis-Wood A large group of firefighters in their reflective, high-visibility kit, standing on a bridge in Cumbria. They are mixed age and gender, and all are carrying oxygen tanks on their back. — Cumbrian firefighters will climb up and down a staircase 25 times in full kit to cover the height of one of the towers

On Sunday, Cumbria Fire and Rescue are joining the firefighting crew for Sellafield nuclear facility to walk up and down the steps at Mount Pleasant in Whitehaven 25 times.

The distance is equivalent to the height of one of the towers.

Sellafield firefighter Elliott Ennis-Wood said it was "important to remember those lives lost".

"It brings the harsh reality back of the worst case that can happen," he said.

However, he said completeing the challenge would bring a "massive sense of achievement and pride".

BBC/Jim Scott Angela Garrity, a who has blonde hair and glasses, standing on a mowed lawn in front of the church. A tree rises from the ground behind her, still relatively young, but stretching into the sky above her. — St Cuthbert's headteacher Angela Garrity stands next to a tree which was planted for former pupil Gavin McMahon, who died in the attacks

St Cuthbert's headteacher Angela Garrity said Gavin McMahon who was from Chester-le-Street in County Durham, was a "very determined, hardworking" student who loved punk rock.

She said it had a "huge impact" when the 35-year-old died in the attacks.

After his death, a tree was also planted as a memorial outside St Cuthbert's church to "keep his memory alive".

Every year, the school also hands out an award in his name, which Garrity explained was for students who stood out for being "resiliant and determined, even when they don't find things easy".

"His memory lives on, which is a wonderful thing for us," she said,

Handout A blurry photo of Gavin McMahon, who has short hair and glasses. He is smiling at the camera whilst leant against a wall or post. — Gavin McMahon from Chester-le-Street died in the attacks aged 35

Cleveland Fire and Rescue crews from both Saltburn and Billingham Fire Station walked up and down a set of stairs at Marine Parade in Saltburn to complete the number of steps in the World Trade Centre.

The set of 169 steps was completed 26 times.

All the crews taking part in challenges have been raising money for The Firefighters Charity, which supports current and former service personnel and their families.