NEARLY five months on and the emotional impact of September 11 refuses to fade. While New York workers toiled amid the wreckage of Ground Zero, Wetherby artist Mike Benn formed his own reaction to the tragedy in bronze.

Today this sculpture was given to North Yorkshire Chief Fire Officer Eric Clark. He will hand it on to the New York fire department, with a cheque for more than £126,000.

North Yorkshire firefighters watched the heroism of their New York counterparts that day with professional insight into their courage. Their fantastic fundraising campaign will send a wonderful message of friendship and empathy across the Atlantic Ocean.

Updated: 10:10 Monday, February 04, 2002