Our firefighter Trudy, who joined us in March 2025, is taking on a dedicated endurance challenge to honour the 343 firefighters who sadly lost their lives while responding to the events of 11 September 2001.
On 6 May, she began a personal challenge to climb the equivalent of 110 floors, the height of the World Trade Centre towers, with the aim of completing the final climb on 11 September 2026, marking the 25th anniversary of the attacks.
The challenge is part of her preparation for a self-funded trip to Atlanta Georgia, where they will join more than 300 firefighters from around the world in a memorial stair climb. Together, participants will climb 110 floors and remember the 343 firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice and sadly never made it home.
Over the course of the training period, Trudy will be taking on repeated stair climbs both indoors and outdoors, often while wearing full fire kit to reflect the physical demands of the memorial event. To celebrate getting half way through her target, she recently climbed in full kit with breathing apparatus and a Cleveland roll.
As well as preparing physically for the challenge, she is raising money for the Fire Fighters Charity, The blue light card foundation UK and The terry Farrell firefighting fund.
The challenge is about more than fitness. It serves as a powerful reminder of the courage, dedication and selflessness shown by firefighters who run towards helping people in their times of need.
Trudy shared;
Before joining BFRS, I was also a Firefighter in Canada. When these big anniversaries come around it always gives me time to reflect. So this year, I wanted to challenge myself to something meaningful and difficult that would take a lot of time, commitment and perseverance.
I have already completed over 53 Climbs and each climb in I am reminded of how difficult the day must have been for so many people.
My mission has been challenging, I have been climbing every single day, and the three heatwaves have made it even harder. But I am determined to keep going to complete my goal and raise awareness for the charities.
Anyone wishing to support the challenge can donate through the fundraising page and follow Trudy’s progress as they continue their journey towards completing the 110-floor climb on 11 September.
Support the challenge here: Fundraiser by Trudy Parker : 110 floors 110 times before september 11th. 25th anniversary