Biggleswade firefighter takes on New York's Tunnel to Towers challenge in honour of 9/11 heroes
A Biggleswade firefighter will be taking part in New York's Tunnel to Towers challenge in memory of the heroic emergency services of 9/11.
Crew commander, Vincent Archer, 58, will be tackling the 5k 'run and walk', along with Mark Burgess from Hertfordshire Training, and Lee Campbell, watch manager at Welwyn Garden City.
The trio are aiming to raise as much money as possible for the Fire Fighters Charity – which supports the physical and emotional health of crew members and their families. You can click here to donate.
Vincent told the Chronicle: "The run began after 9/11 to remember a firefighter called Steven Siller. He was off duty on the day of 9/11 and was going to go and play golf with his brothers.
"When he heard that the planes had crashed into the World Trade Center he was driving back, but couldn't get through the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel.
"He put on his gear and ran through the tunnel. Sadly, he lost his life when the towers collapsed."
In honour of Steven's heroic actions, Vincent will be donning his full firefighting gear to make the journey extra tough.
The dedicated crew commander has flown to New York every year since 2004 to take part in Tunnel to Towers – bar the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021 – and wants the bravery of the emergency services to be commemorated.
He said: "I have been a firefighter for 33 years and it's important to me to remember those who lost their lives, especially the first responders who went into the building.
"It's close to my heart to make sure they are not forgotten."
Vincent has also completed similar runs in Kentucky and Ohio, and has made some "very, very good friends" over the years – some of whom were at the World Trade Center on the day of the attacks in 2001.
"We talk a little bit about it, but obviously it's something that at times they don't want to remember," he explained.
Supporting Vincent on his poignant mission – and also taking part in the challenge – are his family: wife Angela, daughter Bethany, and her fiance, Ben.
Vincent said: "I remember what I was doing when it happened – my daughter's birthday is the day after 9/11. She was going to be one the next day.
"We were running round an indoor play area, and I was watching it on the TV.
"My family put up with me doing this every year; my daughter's birthday tends to take second place – she's very understanding."
The Tunnel to Towers 5k will be held this Sunday (September 27) and the route traces Steven's final journey from the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel to Lower Manhattan.
Vincent concluded: "The whole atmosphere is incredible and gets you through the hard moments.
"But we are not doing anything compared to what Steven went through."
Vincent would like to say a big thank you to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, to his family, and to everybody who has supported the fundraiser.