Wearing a hefty 25kg of firefighting kit set the challenge to complete the 28-floor stair climb at Melbourne’s Crown Metropol for three local volunteer firies on Saturday.
Beechworth Fire Brigade’s Josh Kardol, Hannah Hunt and Jess Hercott took part in the gruelling 12th annual Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb (MFSC) to raise vital dollars for cancer research and crisis support.
“It was definitely a challenge, and the doubts started to kick in about stair flight 16 but we all managed to push through,” Hannah said.
The trio together under the Beechworth CFA banner raised a combined $2245 contributing to an extraordinary sum of $1,123,028 clocked up so far and still rising to support Lifeline, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation and Triple Zero Foundation.
Josh, Hannah and Jess were among 1000 firefighters and emergency services personnel from across Australia and around the world drawn to the event for the fundraising climb.
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Hannah said the three tackled the stairs as the second last climber groups on the day.
“There were 40 squads all together with about 25 people in each one,” she said.
Both Hannah and Josh were among some of the stair climbers using breathing apparatus ‘on air’ for a category adding another difficult element to the challenge.
“The three of us were debriefed at 11.12am and started the climb around 11.40am - one right after the other,” Hannah said.
“Jess was first and finished the climb in five minutes flat and was first in her gender and first in her category clinching fourth place overall.
“I completed in six minutes and 43 seconds and was ninth in gender and seventh place in my category with a position of 161 overall.
“Josh followed us taking seven minutes and 29 seconds with a place number of 203 in gender and 152 in his category and placed at the position of 218 overall.
“It was a fantastic effort by all three of us.
“We will definitely be doing the climb again next year and will start training in January.
“We hope to persuade other crew members to join the cause and do some bigger fundraising.”
People can still donate by searching on the Melbourne Stair Climb website at www.firefighterclimb.org.au and find the Beechworth Fire Brigade listed as CFA-Beechworth – and will also bring up donation links to each fire fighting volunteers.
