Suffolk firefighters to take on 24-hour ladder climb to mark 9/11 anniversary

Firefighters from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) will take on a gruelling 24-hour continuous ladder climb in Ipswich to honour those who lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The event will take place at the Buttermarket in Ipswich from 12 noon on Friday 31 July to 12 noon on Saturday 1 August, raising funds for fire service and other blue light charities while paying tribute to the 343 firefighters who died during the attacks in 2001.

The challenge forms part of international commemorations marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11, with firefighters around the world taking part in symbolic climbs equivalent to the 110 floors of the World Trade Center towers.

Five firefighters from Suffolk have been selected to represent the Service in an official 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb in the United States, each honouring one of the firefighters who lost their lives.

The Ipswich ladder climb offers a local opportunity for colleagues and the community to show their support, raise funds and stand in solidarity.

Supporting important causes

Funds raised from both events will be shared equally between three charities supporting the emergency services community:

• The Fire Fighters Charity – providing physical and mental health support to fire personnel and their families

• The Terry Farrell Fire Fighters Fund – supporting firefighters and departments in the US

• The Blue Light Card Foundation – promoting mental health and wellbeing across the blue light sector

Community engagement event

A dedicated community engagement period will take place towards the end of the challenge.

On Saturday 1 August from 10am to 12 noon, SFRS firefighters, recruitment and prevention teams, and partner emergency services will be on hand to answer questions and offer advice.

This will include the East of England Ambulance Service and Circus Head, a non-profit organisation supporting frontline ambulance staff, which will be serving refreshments from its Coffee Ambulance.

How to get involved

Please come along to show your support and encourage the ladder climbers. Fire service personnel will be there throughout the event to collect donations.

The team will also be raising funds via official JustGiving pages. To donate to The Buttermarket event, please visit: Suffolk Ladder Climb

To support the official UK 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb fundraising campaign, which is helping to send firefighters to the United States for the 25th anniversary of 9/11, please visit: 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb.