AU – Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb Fundraiser
Where were you when the world stopped turning…?
5th September was the date of the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb at Crown Metropol Hotel where 343 ‘fireys’ completed a 28 floor stair climb to raise funds for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, while also commemorating the 9/11 tragedy that claimed so many firefighters’ lives. The 343 firefighters participating represented the number of firefighters who lost their lives in the New York disaster.
The start line!The event was designed to simulate the procedure required for firefighters battling a fire in a high rise building. The gruelling climb was completed with most of the firefighters donning 25kgs of Turnout Gear and Breathing Apparatus (simulating actions in a high rise building fire callout!), with a great result successfully raising a $251,146 for the “Climb for a Cure” (firefighterclimb.org.au) .
Lining up to goFirefighters are up to 6 times more likely to contract certain types of cancer due to the exposure to toxic carcinogens in structure fires, so this was a cause close to the heart for many of the competitors and support crew from the 77 Brigades across Victoria, and the NZ and US teams.
RRT setupThe RRT set up just over the road from the event, selling breakfast consisting of fresh bacon and egg rolls, and sausage in bread, with all proceeds from sales being donated to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Many of the fireys came back for seconds, and had fascinating stories about their experiences and previous stair climbs.
Serving the firefighters A long way up!The ‘Peter Mac Centre’, will make great use of all the funds raised, as it treats 29,000 patients annually and is home to Australia’s largest cancer research group. Although there was a serious note to the day, with thoughts going out to the families of the firefighters who perished in the New York tragedy, overall the day was very positive, and we look forward to next year’s event!
