Cardiff Volvo has supported a local firefighting charity, raising money by taking part in a 5km charity run.
The Tunnel2Towers 5km run is in its 17th year in New York City, but took place for the first time last year in Cardiff. This year, over 600 runners took part in the run, which was set up to honour the life of Stephen Stiller, a heroic firefighter who gave up his life saving others during the attack on the World Trade Center September 11 2001.
This poignant story struck a chord with the team at Volvo Cars Cardiff who decided to help bring the run to Cardiff and supported its organisation both this and last year.
Firefighter Stephen Stiller had just finished his shift and was on his way to play golf when he heard that a plane had flown into one of the towers of the World Trade Center. He immediately turned around and attempted to drive to the towers to help first responders on the ground, however, the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel had already been closed. However, this did not stop Stephen who, carrying kit weighing 27kg on his back, ran 5km through the tunnel to give his life in order to save others.
Volvo Cars Cardiff has honoured Stephen’s memory by sponsoring the event, including funding the event t-shirts. A number of team members were so touched by Stephen’s story, they got involved and ran the Tunnel2Towers 5km themselves alongside 600 other runners, in the process raising funds for The Fire Fighters Charity, which helps everyday heroes to recover their lives.
Darren Pugsley, operations manager at Volvo Cars Cardiff, said, “We are so proud to be supporting the community and celebrating the sacrifice that Stephen Stiller made, and that other first responders make every day.
“We’re honoured to sponsor this event and to help bring the run over to Cardiff. A huge congratulations to everybody who took part, and we’re looking forward to the event growing even bigger next year.”