Firefighter Mark steps up for 9/11 heroes and charity

A retained firefighter at Fort William Community Fire Station has been paying tribute to colleagues who gave their lives trying to save people at the Twin Towers on 9/11 2001, while raising funds for The Fire Fighters Charity.

Using the StairMaster machine at Wolfhouse Gym, on the corresponding date this year, Mark Gibbings scaled 587 flights of stairs - the equivalent height of Ben Nevis - wearing full turnout gear.

Ahead of his challenge Mark set three milestones:

110 flights of stairs in respect of the stair challenge performed each year by New York firefighters in memory of 9/11

343 flights of stairs as a mark of respect and in memory of the fallen firefighters as a result of 9/11

reach 587 flights of stairs and complete the equivalent distance as Ben Nevis.

Mark told the Lochaber Times: ‘The Fire Fighters Charity is finding it hard to raise money with so many fund-raising events called off due to the lockdown, so I looked around for something I could do to help them and came up with the floor challenge, climbing flights of stairs to different floors of a building.

‘I also set the date to mark the 9/11 commemoration, as a tribute to the many firefighters who lost their lives climbing stairs in the Twin Towers.

‘We worked out that 414 flights of stairs on the machine in the Wolfhouse Gym was the equivalent of reaching the Ben summit, although later discovered that we had miscalculated slightly so I

Firefighter Mark Gibbings climbed the equivalent of one and a half times the height of Ben Nevis.

actually ended up doing one and half Bens.’ It took Mark almost four and a half hours to complete the challenge, without stopping, being supplied with water and food by his supporters as he climbed. He wore full firefighters clothing throughout, which being very well insulated usually to stop heat getting in, meant regular liquid top-ups to help keep him cool and replace the sweat.

I was getting really sweaty, but everyone was great at keeping me hydrated without having to stop,’ he added.

‘At one point it felt as though I was floating as I couldn’t feel my legs, but I just kept going and I’m glad to say that passed. I think I was a bit amazed myself that after the challenge I felt surprisingly OK, even after four and a half hours of climbing stairs. What I did was tough, but not nearly as tough as what firefighters and their families face and I would like to thank everyone who helped, especially Wolfhouse Gym for the use of its equipment and support before and during the challenge and to everyone who donated money, which so far stands at more than £1,000.’

Mark went on to a staff meeting an hour after finishing, then shortly afterwards he was back in his firefighter gear attending a fire and rescue call-out.

Donations can still be made at the Fort William Stair Challenge JustGiving page.