A FIREMAN has completed a remarkable 4,000-step charity climbing challenge in full firefighting gear to mark Friday’s 25th memorial anniversary of 9/11.

Owen Batty from Monmouth began his marathon at 8am on September 11 at Ludus Gym in Singleton Court and finished in seven hours 32 minutes.

Gym members participated in the challenge alongside Owen as part of each classes’ warm-up session.

Exercise step-up boxes were placed around Owen so they could get involved and show their support.

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

Members of Ludus Gym taking part in the fundraiser
Members of 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 of raising £500, but ended up more than doubling it, raising over £1,000.

The firefighter 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 gave their lives while responding to help others.

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

The 2002 September 11 terrorist attacks also injured thousands more at the World Trade Centre, the Pentagon, and in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

Families gathered at the World Trade Centre in New York on Friday alongside former US presidents 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’s efforts to provide lifelong support to serving firefighters, retired personnel, fire and rescue staff, volunteers and their families.

Ludus Gym owner Tom Burns, said before Owen started: “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 in the morning, Owen completed the challenge in under eight hours, showcasing his unwavering determination to raise funds for the charity.

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