A MAN who raised money for 9/11 emergency responders is to complete an 80 floor climb in full-firefighting equipment for charity.

Chris Lazenby of Helmsley, near Thirsk raised more than £1,000 after the terrorism attacks on the World Trade Centre in 2001.

Mr Lazenby, who is a firefighter for the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, will complete the climb in New York on Saturday, May 4 for the veteran-group 'A Soldier's Journey Home.'

He will then ascend recently-rebuilt 3 World Trade Centre in honour of the 403 emergency service workers who lost their lives during the attacks.

The Northern Echo:

Mr Lazenby, who completed the same climb last year, added: "I ascended the 80 floors in a little over 30 minutes.

"I was hoping for just under, so I’m already training harder this year.

"At the top at was great to be met by climbers who’d already completed it and in return, congratulate those coming up behind me. "As you ascended the internal staircase of the World Trade Centre, it was lined with photos of those fallen responders – it was emotional to see climbers reach images of people they knew and pause for a few moments of respect.

“It was a very moving event. Before the actual climb, there was a moment of silence next to the Reflection Pools, on the site of the original footprint of the World Trade Centre.

"Part of this ceremony included introducing everyone to two people who had just been diagnosed with 9/11 related cancer, which was very emotional and a reminder of why the funds we were raising were so important."

The World Trade Centre was completely destroyed in the 9/11 attacks but much of the rebuilt site is nearing completion.

The building that Mr Lazenby will climb was completed in June 2018.

  • To support Mr Lazenby's fundraising campaign click here