A LOCAL Firefighter embarked on a challenge to climb over 4,000 steps to raise funding for the 9/11 Memorial Fundraiser.

Owen Batty from Monmouth began his marathon at 8am on Friday September 11 at the Ludus Gym at Singleton Court.

Members at the gym participated in the challenge alongside Owen as part of each classes warmup session. Exercise step-up boxes were placed around Owen so members could participate and show their ongoing support.

Alongside the set up was a poster to the Just Giving page and lists of the firefighters names who lost their lives in the 9/11 attack.

Members at Ludus Gym taking part in fundraiser
Members at Ludus Gym taking part in the fundraiser. (Iliffe Media )

This year marks 25 years since the 9/11 Twin Tower attacks at the World Trade Centre in New York.

Owen set an initial target to raise £500 but has since raised an even further amount raising over £1,000.

Local firefighter, Owen Batty, said: “It’s important to me, I hadn’t long started my journey as a firefighter when the 9/11 memorial opened when I went to New York. To go and see Ground Zero was unlike anything I had ever seen, you could just tell the impact it had on the whole city.

“I think for it to make an impact on a city like Manhattan in New York you can tell the scale of the tragedy.”

Nearly 3,000 people from more than 100 nations lost their lives in the terrorist attack. Among them were 343 members of the Fire Department of the City of New York who lost their lives while responding to others.

Since, 2001, more than 400 more FDNY firefighters have lost their lives to illnesses associated with the toxic conditions they were exposed to during the rescue and recovery operations at Ground Zero.

Friday September 11 marked the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 Twin Tower attacks. The terrorist attacks killed nearly 3,000 people and injured thousands at the World Trade Centre, the Pentagon, and in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

Families gathered at the World Trade Centre in New York to remember victims who died in the attack.

Hundreds of firefighters were determined to reach those trapped inside. Their courage, sacrifice and dedication helped save countless lives in what still remains one of the devastating attacks in history, which has left a lasting impact the world.

Owen’s fundraiser will boost the Fire Fighters Charity efforts to provide lifelong support to serving firefighters, retired personnel, fire and rescue staff, volunteers and their families.

Owner of Ludus Gym, Tom Burns, said: “It’s going to be a long day for him but we have got all the members down here supporting him, getting involved doing about 100 steps each as well. Combining all those steps together we’re probably going to do quadruple the height of the twin towers.”

After a long day starting early this morning, Owen completed the challenge in 7 hours 32 minutes showcasing his unwavering amount of effort to raise funds for this charity.

Anyone looking to donate can do so via the Just Giving Page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/owenbatty911