Firefighter completes 9/11 anniversary challenge

Adam Boyd did 2,977 burpees, one for each victim of the 9/11 tragedy

A Manx firefighter has completed a gruelling fitness challenge as his way of honouring "each life lost" in the 11 September 2001 attacks in the United States.

On the 24th anniversary of 9/11, Adam Boyd did 2,977 burpees - one for each victim - outside Douglas Fire Station in just under nine hours.

He said it would be a "tribute to the courage and sacrifice shown by so many", including firefighters and other first responders who lost their lives.

His challenge has raised more than £2,200 for The Fire Fighters Charity and Heroes on the Water.

Adam Boyd joined the fire service on the Isle of Man three years ago

Mr Boyd said he had been training for the burpee challenge - in which someone squats, places their hands on the floor and jumps back into a push-up position - since June.

Although only nine years old at the time of attacks, he said felt a "deep connection to the 343 firefighters, paramedics and first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice trying to save others".

While Mr Boyd said he knew the challenge would be "really tough", he said he would "just keep remembering what I'm doing it for".

"It was such a tragedy - there are so many photos of first responders going to try to rescue people, probably knowing they wouldn't come back.

"The bravery of those real-life heroes continues to inspire me.

"This is not about me, it's about honouring the memory of those we lost."