On Sunday September 30 a team of South Wales firefighters will realise a year-long goal when they bring the Tunnel to Towers 5k Run/Walk from New York to Wales for the very first time.
Already renowned for their fundraising efforts, which has including triathlons, ultra-marathons, ladder climbs equalling Mount Everest and several world record attempts, the team based at Cardiff Central Station have raised thousands of pounds for various charities over the last few years, including The Fire Fighters Charity.
Their latest Challenge, the Tunnel to Towers 5K Run/Walk, has its origins in New York and was first held in 2002 to honourfirefighter Stephen Siller who gave his life while saving others at the Twin Towers. The annual US run raises funds for the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation and growing support has seen many new international venues take on the challenge.
Introducing the race to Wales has been a mission for firefighters in South Wales with all funds raised set to benefit the Stephen Siller Foundation and The Fire Fighters Charity. Kindly sponsored by Fordthorne and Volvo Cars Cardiff the event is set to unite the whole community, with all ages encouraged to showtheir support by running or walking alongside crew, many of whom will be taking part in kit.
Organisers saythat while the latest venue at Cardiff Bay may be thousands of miles from New York, the importance of the race remains close to home.
“As a team it will be a privilege and an honour to see the race run in Wales and to play even a small part in sharing its message”, said Firefighter Kevin Summerhayes, who has been instrumental in bringing the race to Wales.
“The sheer selflessness demonstrated that day by emergency service personnel, such as Stephen Siller, should never be forgotten and this is a way for us all to show our appreciation for the dedication of the Services who are there for us whenever and wherever we need them.
“As a team we have always been keen on fundraising and what better event to support than one which has the potential to unite the whole communityLew?
“We are extremely grateful to Fordthorne and Volvo Cars Cardiff for sponsoring and looking forward to seeing a great turn out on the day.”
Roger Pugsley, Managing Director of Fordthorne and Volvo Cars Cardiff said:
“We’re delighted and honoured to have been asked to sponsor and support such a prestigious and meaningful event, learning about the charity’s background was very humbling so we’re extremely proud to be involved. As a local business based in Cardiff we can think of nothing better than to support our regions Firefighters and such a worthwhile cause. It’s events like this that also help to put Cardiff on the national and international map, showing the country and beyond that it’s one of the world’s best cities to live and work in, and if we can play a small part in doing that alongside supporting such a fantastic cause then it’s a huge honour.”
Tunnel to Towers 5K Wales, which will follow a route from the Roald Dahl Plass to the Cardiff Barrage and back, will coincide with one of the UK’s greatest emergency service events- the UKRO Challenge, this year hosted by South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, also at Cardiff Bay.
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More than 600 firefighters will travel to Wales to take part in the free public UKRO event where they will be challenged to take part in vehicle rescues, water rescues, rope rescues and search and rescue contests from 28-29 September. There is also the chance for visitors to enjoy South Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s Super Safety Village, uniting 90 different partners in sharing safety and awareness messages through fun family activities in and around the Plass and Bay area from September 28-30.
Registration for the Tunnel to Towers Wales 5k Charity run is now open. Visit www.tunnel2towerswales.com (Adults £16/Children £8- family tickets available at a discounted rate.)
