THEY’VE been sweating it out for months to get into peak physical condition, and now two local firefighters are calling on the community to help them reach their fundraising goals ahead of the 2014 Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb.
Described as a gruelling challenge of fitness and endurance, the event on September 7 will see 200 firefighters race to the 28th floor of the Crown Metropol Hotel while wearing a 25kg kit and breathing apparatus.
It aims to raise $100,000 for the Alfred Hospital Burns Unit and Swan Hill CFA volunteers Tyson Cheek and Jesse Schifferle are hoping to raise $343 each.
To up the ante even further, they have entered the “on air” category, which means they will be racing in their breathing masks.
“We’ll have about 20 minutes of air to make it to the top,” Mr Cheek said.
Mr Cheek, an electrician, and Mr Schifferle, a signwriter, are both following strict fitness regimes ahead of the race, including jogging, stair runs, bike riding and weight training.
A volunteer of 17 years, Mr Cheek said he hoped the community would throw their support behind the cause.
“The burns unit here in Victoria is the best in Australia and you never know when you might need it,” he said.
Firefighters Charity Fund chair Mick Whitty said the $100,000 would go towards upgrading essential equipment such as a Laser Doppler Imaging machine.
“This will provide a high impact, high value item which significantly improves patient outcomes by reducing the infection and recovery rates,” he said.
Mr Whitty said as the event coincided with the anniversary of 9/11, the voluntary fundraising goal had been set at $343 for each participant to honour the 343 firefighters killed.
As of yesterday, more than $60,000 had been raised.
To sponsor Mr Cheek or Mr Schifferle — or both — visit www.firefighterclimb.org.au
