Monday 19 October
11.30hrs
Two firefighters
based at Southmead Fire Station have raised around £2,500 after
taking part in a charity event set up in the wake of the 2001
terrorist attacks in New York.
Watch Manager Sean
Spearing (41) from Weston-super-Mare and Crew Manager Matt Osborne
(29) from Portishead stood out from the majority of competitors in
the New York Tunnel to Towers event when they swapped tee-shirt and
trainers for firefighting kit.
The duo donned the full kit from helmet to boots, adding an extra
30lbs to their five kilometre journey. Sean and Matt took part in
the event to raise funds for GAFSIP – Gambia and Avon Fire Services
in Partnership – and The Fire Fighters’ Charity.
With US
firefighters lining sections of the route in full ceremonial
uniform holding flags and hundreds of supporters cheering on family
and friends, the streets of Lower Manhattan came to a complete
standstill during the day, said Sean.
He added: “It was an incredibly emotional experience and one I will
never forget. One of the highlights for me was after we emerged
from The Brooklyn Tunnel, which was a difficult section as it was
about two miles uphill and very humid with no airflow. That was
when we first saw the firefighters with the flags marking those who
had died on 9/11. Each one held out their hand to tap the runners
as they passed and cheered on words of encouragement.
“We have so far
raised £2,500, but money is still coming in – people have been very
supportive, especially when they have learned about the charities
we have been raising funds for. We have also been lucky with our
corporate sponsors, including Continental Airlines and Bristol
International Airport, whose support with transport and
accommodation meant we were able to keep all the public donations
for the charities.”
To sponsor Sean
and Matt visit www.justgiving.com/tunnel2towers