Wednesday, February 16, 2011

UK firefighters to run in New York for 9-11


The crew from Green Watch will head out to New York this September to do the 'Tunnel to Towers' run, a 5km route run by an off-duty fireman who died on 9/11.

The five Surrey firefighters each have to raise £1,500 for the Fire Fighters' Charity to take part in the run, a tribute to all those firemen and emergency services heroes who perished on that fateful day a decade ago.

Green watch firefighter, Karl Jones, explained: "The run is in memory of Stephen Siller, a Brooklyn firefighter who on hearing that the twin towers had been hit, raced on foot to the site with his gear strapped to his back.

"The Fire Fighters' Charity put out flyers to all the stations in the country about the run, and with it being the tenth anniversary of September 9/11 we wanted to go out there and show our support and raise some money for charity in the process. But it will be great to run alongside all our brothers and sisters from the emergency services."

Mr Jones will do the run with his watch manager Tony Bryant, and the other Green Watch members, Mark Fawkes, George Rudd and Tom Singleton. But in a twist to a normal 'fun run' the firefighters will add to the re-enactment of the day by under-taking the route in their fire-fighting gear - making the run considerable more demanding.

Mr Jones added: "Most of us do try and keep quite fit, personally I try and run a bit every day, and sometimes as a watch we get to do some fitness as physical training sessions."

The group have secured spare kit from the official kit supplier to Surrey Fire and Rescue, but Mr Jones says they are not phased by the prospect of running through New York's CBD in heavy gear.

If Green Watch are all successful in their money-raising ventures, they will fly out on September 22, and will take part in the actual run on September 25.

Mr Jones added: "We really need help from local people and businesses to reach our targets, and if we make over that £1,500 target each, then we will be giving the extra to a local childrens' charity."

New York firefighter Stephen Siller had tried to get to the World Trade Centre by truck, but was prohibited from entering the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, so got out and ran the remainder of the route on foot.

He was last seen alive on West and Liberty Streets, where it was believed he was looking for the rest of his crew, all whom died. To sponsor Green Watch Egham, email: karl.jones@surreycc.gov.uk

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