Firefighters donate proceeds to America

Firefighters in Northern Ireland have raised more than £10,000 for the families of officers killed and injured in the terrorist attacks on the US two weeks ago.

Firefighters from across the province raised money by asking motorists to give a minimum of £3 for a fire hose car wash on Saturday September 22.

All of the money raised will go to the New York Firefighters Benevolent Fund for the families of more than 300 officers killed and injured in the attacks on the World Trade Centre.

Graham Lowry of Knock Fire Station in Belfast said: "Every firefighter in Northern Ireland, who watched the terrible events of last week unfold on television, felt a deep sense of empathy and kinship with the New York Fire Department.

"We wanted to do something, even if it was only a token gesture, to show our support for those directly affected by this tragedy."

Mr Lowry said although fire services in Northern Ireland had had to deal with the aftermath of bombings and other atrocities over many years, it was impossible to imagine the sheer scale of the tragedy in America.

"Almost 300 firefighters lost their lives in the course of doing their jobs and we feel we have a duty, as well as a deep desire, to show our sympathy and support through raising what funds we can for their families," he said. (AMcE)