Firefighters are being encouraged to step up and embrace a virtual version of a popular fundraising challenge.
For the first time in its seven-year history, the annual Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb won’t be held at the Crown Metropol, with participants instead being challenged to collectively accumulate steps over a month-long period.
This year’s stair climb event, named One Million Steps For Mental Health, kicks off on “R U OK” day which falls on 10 September, and will run through to World Mental Health day on 10 October.
“This is a hugely popular event through which firefighters raise awareness and money for mental charities, so we wanted to make sure it could continue,” said CFA firefighter and organiser Trent Egan.
“Given the challenge is virtual this year, it is also open to friends, family members or anyone in the community who wishes to participate.
“While coronavirus restrictions have prevented us from getting together in person, we know firefighters and many others across the state will take on this new challenge and step up to fight depression, PTSI and suicide.
“Whether it’s climbing up your home staircase or utilising a public flight of stairs, there are many different ways of accumulating steps in a COVID-safe environment – it’s all part of the challenge,” he said.
More than $2.4 million has been raised for a variety of charities since the first stair climb in 2014, with funds raised from this year’s event going towards Lifeline, the Black Dog Institute and the 000 Foundation.
CFA Acting Chief Officer Garry Cook said it’s fantastic to see the way the event has evolved to ensure mental health remains a hot topic for firefighters.
“This year has been incredibly tough on the mental health of the entire community, including emergency services personnel” he said.
“The Stair Climb provides friendly competition, great exercise and raises vital funds to support mental health services”.
CFA members wishing to participate are asked to follow these simple guidelines:
- Register your participation at https://www.firefighterclimb.org.au/
- Ensure any fundraising is not conducted in a face-to-face setting or using cash which carries health risks. Consider online or contact-free options
- Participation in CFA apparel or brigade T-shirts is encouraged, however for health and safety reasons turn-out gear, breathing apparatus or other personal protective clothing/equipment must not be used
- To comply with current CFA rules on non-essential station attendance, members must participate either at home or outdoors in public places, not at CFA stations or sites
- Likewise, any online fundraising or promotional activity can be undertaken in CFA apparel, but must comply with local DHHS restrictions, and not be done at CFA stations or sites, nor in turn-out gear.
- If participating outside, ensure you are complying with local DHHS coronavirus exercise restrictions including how many people you can exercise with and for how long.
- Stage 3 and Stage 4 restrictions can be found at https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorias-restriction-levels-covid-19
Participants are encouraged to share their workout progress on social media, by tagging #MFSCMillionSteps on their pictures and videos.
Registrations are already open and will remain open throughout the month-long event.
