FOUR firefighters have smashed their fundraising target by climbing 110 stairs in full kit to remember all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice on September 11, 2001.

Firefighters from Sellafield started their challenge at 8.46am to coincide with the time the first plane went into the World Trade Centre during the horrifying events of 9/11. Of the 2,977 victims of the terrorist attacks on that day, 343 were firefighters.

The challenge was set up to raise vital funds for the Fire Fighters Charity, which, like many charities, has been badly hit by the pandemic.

The charity provides vital support to firefighters and is responsible for Jubilee House in Penrith, a state-of-the-art therapy centre for firefighters recovering from physical or mental illness.

Kitted out in boots, fireproof suits, helmets, oxygen tanks and breathing apparatus, the four men were loaded with an extra 22kg of weight for the challenge. So far, they have raised more than £2,000, after setting a target of £750.

"I have been a firefighter for six years this year and I look back and remember that day," explained Christian Neen, who organised and took part. "I was sitting in Germany on a trip for a company I worked for and it doesn't matter what job you have this is real.

"Now I'm a firefighter I understand what the job is, before I thought, well this is their job - this is what they are expected to do.

"I have watched films, read books and there were firefighters (before they climbed the stairs of the burning World Trade Centre) hugging each other because they knew it was the end.

"We all hope we will never been in that scenario but every time you go to that burning building or you go to that train crash, the officer in charge may put us in that situation."

To donate, go to https://bit.ly/35tfupE.