FOR the past nine years, emergency service providers have been taking literal steps to raise funds for mental health through the annual Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb.<\/p>\n
Now, on Saturday, 10 September, Wendouree CFA will again take part in the event and climb 28 flights of stairs at Melbourne\u2019s Crown Metropol Hotel, in full turn out gear, with proceeds going towards mental health, suicide and post-traumatic stress injury awareness.<\/p>\n
Twelve brigade members will participate, including Second Lieutenant Kenneth Mitchell, in what will be his fourth year in the initiative.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m lucky I\u2019m one of the fitter ones on the team, I would like to say, but it\u2019s still a struggle to get up there,\u201d Second Lieutenant Mitchell said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not an easy task but you just fight through, get to the top and just die, but it\u2019s an incredible feeling and it\u2019s a really good day that goes to a good cause.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a real camaraderie to it, and you\u2019re always trying to beat everyone on your team to the top.\u201d<\/p>\n
Each firefighter will carry 25 kilograms of equipment, with the overall aim of raising $600,000 for Lifeline, Fortem and the 000 Foundation.<\/p>\n
Donations can be made on behalf of stations or individuals and CFA Wendouree has raised over $6000 since first participating in 2018.<\/p>\n
A virtual stair climb is available for anyone to take part in, and will run until Saturday, 10 September.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s iteration has raised over $160,000 so far, and CFA Wendouree volunteer Ryan Patrikeos said for him the challenge will serve an additional purpose.<\/p>\n
\u201cMental health issues are a common occurrence for people in emergency services, and there\u2019s a bit of a stigma around it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn a personal note, I\u2019ve struggled with mental health issues before and I think it\u2019s a really important thing to raise awareness for.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s important to get the word out there that it\u2019s okay to speak up if you\u2019re struggling.\u201d<\/p>\n
To donate to CFA Wendouree\u2019s effort visit bit.ly\/3OSNgHP.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
FOR the past nine years, emergency service providers have been taking literal steps to raise funds for mental health through the annual Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb. Now, on Saturday, 10 September, Wendouree CFA will again take part in the event and climb 28 flights of stairs at Melbourne\u2019s Crown Metropol Hotel, in full turn out […]<\/p>\n