London Gatwick Airport Firefighters Raise £2,000 for Charity by Climbing 110 Floors in Full Firefighting Gear

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Firefighters from the Fire and Rescue Service at London Gatwick Airport successfully undertook a stair climb challenge, raising £2,000 for the Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) and the Fire Fighters Charity.

Teaming up with KSS members, the team climbed the main staircase in the South Terminal departure lounge at London Gatwick, mimicking the ascent of a 110-floor skyscraper. Each participant tackled the challenge decked out in 23kg of complete firefighting attire, including their breathing gear.

During the event, travelers had the opportunity to discover more about the charitable causes and the impact of the funds collected, with contributions still being welcomed on the event’s official fundraising website.

Melanie Wrightson, Stakeholder Engagement Manager, London Gatwick said: “We are incredibly proud of our firefighters for completing such a demanding challenge in support of these two remarkable charities.  

“Both KSS and the Fire Fighters Charity provide vital, life-saving services to our community, and the funds raised will help ensure they can continue their invaluable work.” 

KSS, a key charity partner of the airport, operates helicopters for immediate emergency response, attending over 3,300 critical situations each year across Kent, Surrey, and Sussex.

The Fire Fighters Charity provides crucial support to both current and retired firefighting personnel and their families, offering direct assistance at its facilities, including one nearby in Littlehampton.

This year, the Gatwick Airport Community Trust allocated £250,000 to various important initiatives in the region. Additionally, the London Gatwick Foundation Fund is set to distribute its third batch of grants totaling £100,000 in November, culminating in a total of £300,000 for the year 2024.

London Gatwick has also backed events such as the Surrey Heli Hike on August 10, and is gearing up to support the forthcoming Sussex Heli Hike on October 5.