Northampton volunteer firefighter takes on gruelling 9/11 memorial climb
‘I climbed for every one of them’
A volunteer firefighter from Northampton has taken on a marathon climb in 36-degree heat in memory of those who lost their lives on 9/11.
Paige Gibson, who volunteers at Shuttleworth Fire and Rescue in Bedfordshire, travelled to Atlanta to walk the equivalent of 110 floors – representing the height of the World Trade Centre towers.
The 19-year-old was one of 343 firefighters from across the UK to take part in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at the Atlanta Braves’ stadium.
Paige was the youngest firefighter to complete the challenge.
Each firefighter represented one of those who died on September 11 2011 and carried with them a photo of one of their fallen comrades. Paige carried the photo of Battalion Chief Joseph Grzelak.
She said: “It was the most incredible experiences I could ever have imagined and one of the biggest physical and mental challenges I have ever completed. But that does not compare to the sacrifice made by the 343 firefighters who lost their lives 25 years ago.
“I climbed for every one of them, but I was especially honoured to carry Battalion Chief Joseph Grzelak with me. Throughout the climb, in the 36-degree heat, I kept looking down at his photograph and reminding myself why I was there.”
The trip included firefighters representing nearly every fire and rescue service across the UK and Ireland, including Paige’s own station.
The group also achieved a record for the largest number of emergency service personnel to travel together from London to the United States.
Paige added: “It was the proudest moment of my life, with so many incredible achievements along the way. Being the youngest UK and Ireland firefighter to complete the climb is something I will never forget.”