A FORMER firefighter is travelling to New York to revive the minds and bodies of people working around the clock to clear Ground Zero.

Stephen Paine, from Tyldesley, will go to Manhattan later this month and use his new skills as a clinical aromatherapist to help the emergency services carry out the emotionally and physically draining work.

The 44-year-old married man, who was based at Farnworth fire station, had to look for another career after a back injury at work forced him to leave the fire service five years ago.

Medical conditions

After benefiting from physiotherapy himself, he decided to become involved in sports injury treatments and clinical aromatherapy, which is treating medical conditions with oils.

He made contact via a trade magazine with the boss of a massage team working where the twin towers collapsed and was invited to help the firefighters and emergency staff working long hours to sift through the wreckage.

He was chosen because he had the right qualifications and a former fire officer.

It is hoped the oils will help relieve chest infections, which are being caused by the toxic fumes still coming from the site, and soothe aching muscles.

Stephen said he was looking forward to the trip with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.

He added: "I'm excited about it, it will be quite a dramatic place to work.

"But I'm also apprehensive about it. You don't know what you are going to see.

"I think the magnitude of the site is something I'm wary of as well."

Contribute

Despite his concerns at visiting the scene of such a tragedy, Stephen believes he can contribute towards the effort.

"I can't even begin to know how they are feeling, but I know the type of working practises they are involved in, I know they won't want to go home at night," he said.

"I also know the firefighters are like a family and those people have lost members of their family."

Stephen is now working hard to fund his seven day visit to New York, which starts on Sunday.

He is holding raffles at the Natural Therapy Clinic in Atherton, where he works, but still needs to raise £1,000 to pay for travel, accommodation and living costs.

If you can help please call Stephen on 07966 202325.