A group of firefighters from Lancashire and Greater Manchester have completed a memorial stair climb in the United States to honour colleagues who died in the 11 September attacks.
The firefighters travelled to Atlanta, Georgia, where they joined around 200 firefighters from across the UK and Ireland for the challenge.
Participants climbed the equivalent of 110 floors, matching the height of the World Trade Center towers in New York, where 343 firefighters were among those killed during the attacks in 2001.
Lancashire firefighter Jamie Oldfield said the trip had been both emotional and inspiring.
The memorial climb took place inside the Atlanta Braves baseball stadium, with firefighters from both the US and the UK taking part in full firefighting kit.
Temperatures reached about 105F (40C), with participants facing intense heat and humidity throughout the challenge.
Oldfield said the group received a special send off from London Heathrow Airport, where fire crews escorted their aircraft along the runway before departure.
“It was fantastic. There were around 200 of us from the UK going over together, so it felt really special from the start,” he added.
After arriving in Atlanta, the firefighters met colleagues who had attended Ground Zero in the aftermath of the attacks, as well as relatives of some of those who died.
Oldfield said hearing their experiences brought home the significance of the event and “meant a lot”.
“We met firefighters who were there on the day and listened to them talk about how they’ve dealt with life after 9/11,” he said.
“One of them is still serving as a firefighter in New York.
“We also met the brother of Terry Farrell, who the [Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund] charity is named after.”