September 12th, 2023Firies reach new heights for mental health
Up to 700 participating Victorian and interstate emergency services members climbed the stairs of Crown Metropol in Melbourne earlier this month, to raise money and awareness for mental health and cancer research.
The 10th annual Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb, organised by the 000Foundation took place on September 2 and raised a total of more than $605,000.
This year’s beneficiaries are Lifeline, Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation and 000Foundation.
The challenge saw firefighters get into 25kg of protective gear and race up 28 floors of the tower one-by-one.
CFA Deputy Chief Officer Garry Cook said it’s positive to see emergency services personnel come together in person to support such a worthwhile cause.
“Our members are enthusiastic participants of this event and it’s great to see their contributions make a difference by raising money and awareness for mental health programs and cancer research,” he said.
Firefighters and emergency personnel from all over Australia flocked to Melbourne to be part of the stair climb.
CFA firefighters climbed alongside members from FRV, FFMVic, Victoria Police, VICSES, Ambulance Victoria and members from Tasmania, New South Wales, South Australia and New Zealand.
Since the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb Challenge began in 2014, the event has raised more than $3.5 million, benefitting charities and organisations such as Alfred Hospital Burns Unit, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Lifeline, Black Dog Institute, Emergency Services Foundation and 000Foundation.
