Fire crews from across Merseyside are paying tribute to the 343 firefighters who died in the 9/11 attacks with a fundraising event today. Teams of firefighters will climb St Johns Beacon in Liverpool 343 times, with each ascent representing one of the firefighters who lost their life while responding to the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York on 11 September 2001.
The challenge, organised by Thomas Molyneux of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, aims to "ensure their courage and selflessness are never forgotten". Thirty firefighters are expected to take part, including station manager Phil Kelly.
Participants will wear full firefighting kit, weighing up to 15kg (approximately 33lbs), for the demanding challenge, which began at 09:00 on Saturday. Money raised will be divided between the UK Fire Fighters Charity and the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund in the US.