North Yorkshire firefighter recognised for fundraising following Grenfell tragedy
Mike Sutcliffe is a watch manager at Acomb fire station
A North Yorkshire firefighter says it was hugely emotional and moving to meet his colleagues who were first on the scene at the Grenfell Tower Fire.
Kev and Mike Sutcliffe, (who work for West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Services respectively) organised and completed an endurance challenge at Bridgewater Place, Leeds, fundraising for The Grenfell Foundation and The Fire Fighters Charity.
They raised over £3500, conquering 24 storeys symbolising the height of Grenfell Tower 72 times. Each climb symbolised a life lost at the devastating tower fire in London in 2017. The challenge saw them taking 138,000 steps in total – the equivalent of climbing Big Ben’s Elizabeth Tower 69 times.
Each climb symbolised a life lost at the devastating tower fire in London in 2017. The challenge saw them taking 138,000 steps in total – the equivalent of climbing Big Ben’s Elizabeth Tower 69 times.
The brothers attended North Kensington Fire Station in London to meet their colleagues who were first on the scene at the high-rise tower disaster as part of their campaign to raise funds for the charities.
Mike says it was an honour to meet the crews involved: "That was actually really moving and emotional. Myself and my brother Kevin, we went to Grenfell Tower, looked to the memorial there and spoke to a few passers by and local residents, but then we also went to North Kensington Fire Station to meet the crew there. Fortunately enough the crew on duty the day we went was the crew that attended the fire. So it was really good to speak to those guys and just get first hand accounts of the event and what they went through and are still going through to be honest."
"We all saw the pictures on the TV, which was jaw-dropping, but to be there in person to see it and to have to deal with it first hand. It's just unimaginable, I think, for somebody that wasn't there."
"We split the funds that we raised between the Grenfell Foundation who're helping to support the families and the community rebuild and move on with their lives even after all this time, all these years have passed but it's still a lasting effect because the building is still there as a constant reminded. Then the firefighters charity just do amazing work helping serving and retired firefighters, whether it's physical rehabilitation or mental problems, helping them get counselling to deal with traumatic events such as that. Both the charities do amazing work. So we just thought we'd try and do an event, raise some money to to help them carry on their roles."
The National Armed Forces and Emergency Services Event has nominated the pair for their hard work in the “Most Outstanding Fire Service Award” at this year’s ceremony, due to take place on September 12th.
Mike has already planned his next challenge which will see him run the London marathon.
You can donate to his fundraising page here