FIREFIGHTER brothers are taking on an extreme endurance challenge to raise funds for charity.

Military veterans and serving firefighters Mike and Kev Sutcliffe are undertaking the challenge at a Yorkshire tower to raise funds for The Grenfell Foundation and The Firefighters Charity.

Mike, 41, is a watch manager with North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service based at Acomb, while his brother, Kev, 43, is a firefighter with West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Read more: Darlington residents in limbo as dental crisis could take two years to clear

Both brothers will conquer the Bridgewater Place tower in Leeds, climbing 24 storeys, 72 times. The 24 storeys symbolises the height of Grenfell Tower, and the 72 times symbolises each life lost at the devastating fire in 2017.

In total, the climb will consist of over 69,000 – the equivalent of 67 Big Bens or three quarters of the way to the summit of Mount Everest.

The brothers aim to do this as a continuous relay on Saturday, June 17, just after the sixth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower Fire.

Both men have two children and have served in the Royal Engineers before leaving and joining the fire service. Both brothers received the ‘Silver Axe Award’ for finishing as the top recruit on their respective courses.

Mike, said: “We are both always on the lookout for the next physical challenge to undertake. We wanted to take on an endurance challenge with a difference, to raise money for two worthy charities, which we respect and have a connection with.”

Kev said: "We had planned the challenge three years ago but it couldn’t go ahead because of the pandemic.

"We tried to think of ways we could still do it, such as finding an outside location, but it wasn’t possible. Then Mike asked if I still fancied doing it and my first thought was ‘I’m three years old than when we first agreed to it, but go on, it is for a good cause.

“We both enjoy being active and have done Iron Man competitions and triathlons. This challenge will be a way for us to keep fit while raising money for good causes.”

North Yorkshire’s Chief Fire Officer, Jonathan Dyson, said: “This is an awe-inspiring feat that Mike and Kev are undertaking on behalf of two extremely important charities. It will certainly be a test of endurance and they deserve everyone’s support. Thank you both!”

Howard Taylor from Grenfell Foundation, one of the charities the brothers are supporting stated: “We are grateful to Mike and Kev taking on this epic challenge for The Grenfell Foundation and The Firefighters Charity."

"It is essential for both affected communities and on the ground blue light service personnel to get the right support following any tragedy, and funds raised through this challenge will go a long way to supporting this in regards to Grenfell.”

For more information or to donate visit: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/keep-climbing72?utm_term=mn929KNGs