A trailblazing Norfolk fire service band will jet off to the other side of the Atlantic this week to perform their self-penned song inspired by the heroes of 9/11.

The Backdrafts will fly out to New York on Thursday to play at an appreciation dinner on Saturday, the evening before the Tunnel to Towers race. This event is held in memory of emergency service workers who died in the terror attacks on the World Trade Center in September 2001.

As previously reported, the five-piece, who perform in full fire-fighting gear, will play a poignant original ballad called Chose to Run, written to reflect on the sacrifices made and the bond between firefighters.

They were invited to play the prestigious gig after they performed at the equivalent 5k run in London last year.

Their trip will see them perform at Saturday evening's pasta party, take part in the Tunnel to Towers 5k race on Sunday and then join New York's fire brigade for a tour of Ground Zero. During their week-long trip, the five men will also visit the Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre near Washington DC.

Drummer Scott Field said: 'We are very excited about it. It's an honour to be asked.

'It was one of the most significant disasters in the history of the fire service and we've been asked to play – for us it's quite important.'

Three members of the band are based at Dereham Fire Station as part of the county's urban search and rescue team: Scott Field, Duncan Barrow and James Little. The other two band members are Robert Fords and Andy Heginbotham.

Their song, which is available to download from iTunes, includes the lyrics: 'You crossed a line, a moment in time, surrendered your life to save one just like mine'. It is hoped it will become an anthem for the Tunnel to Towers events, which were first set up in memory of firefighter Stephen Siller from Brooklyn.

When he heard the World Trade Center had been hit, off-duty Mr Siller headed towards the site.

His truck was prohibited from entering the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel so he raced on foot towards the site with his gear strapped to his back. Tens of thousands of people, including members of the Backdrafts, will retrace his footsteps at the annual event on Sunday.

Are you doing something in memory of those who sacrificed their lives for others? Email kate.scotter@archant.co.uk