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Monday, 11 September 2006, 14:15 GMT 15:15 UK

Firemen's cycle for 9/11 tribute

Newport firefighters cycle team Firefighters from Newport are visiting New York on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks to remember those who died.

The team of 10 from Maindee station have spent the last eight days cycling across America to raise money for the Fire Service National Benevolent Fund.

They visited Washington where the Pentagon was attacked and Pennsylvania where the hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 crashed, during their ride.

They took part in the official parade in New York on Monday.

"We wanted the route to pass through the scenes of tragedy from five years ago, where so many firefighters lost their lives attempting to save others"
Tony Devlin

During their journey, the team laid wreaths from South Wales Fire Service at the three sites to remember the victims of the attacks including hundreds of firefighters in the rescue attempts.

The team are hoping to add to £18,000 already collected for the benevolent fund by the brigade.

Firefighter Tony Devlin organised the event.

"It's something really different to raise money for a cause that we really believe in," he said.

"We wanted the route to pass through the scenes of tragedy from five years ago, where so many firefighters lost their lives attempting to save others.

"We've been preparing for this cycle for over a year and with a lot of determination and organisation, we're going to achieve something unique for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service."

The team began their journey in Philadelphia driving to Washington where they began cycling to Shanksville in Pennsylvania and then onto New York. They cycled around 100 miles a day as part of their challenge.

A total of 2,973 people died in the four attacks on 11 September 2001.

Remembrance ceremonies were planned in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania on the fifth anniversary of the attacks.



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Related to this story:
US remembers 9/11 five years on (11 Sep 06 |  Americas )

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