Local firies step up for a good cause

Local volunteers are preparing to face an extreme challenge when they take on the Melbourne Firefighters Stairclimb later this year in the name of cancer research and mental health awareness.

September’s annual charity event sees career and volunteer firefighters from around the world don 25 kilograms of structural firefighting protective clothing, including a self-contained breathing apparatus, and climb 28 floors of the Crown Metropol Hotel.

In the fundraiser’s ninth year, Clayton Bay Country Fire Service’s (CFS) Ben Chudleigh and Joel Doecke are taking on the challenge alongside Strathalbyn CFS members to raise money for Lifeline, Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation, and 000 Foundation, which in turn, supports cancer research, education and treatments, and mental health awareness.

For Mr Doecke, the event is about challenging himself and shedding light on mental health.

“I’ve always known about (the event); it’s a well-known thing and attracts firefighters from around the world,” he said.

“Each of us has been impacted indirectly or directly by mental health throughout our lives, and I think it’s important to challenge yourself and try to raise a few funds for these organisations, which are directly helping people with mental health.”

For Mr Chudleigh, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2017, it’s a ‘full circle’ moment.

“About five years ago, I was diagnosed with cancer and I’ve come through, so it’s kind of that circle of healing for me,” he said.

“For me, it’s not only having survived that, but I’m doing things I would’ve never even done before the cancer.

“I’ve known about (the event) for a while, but a few of the lads from the Strathalbyn brigade were like ‘let’s get a team this year and actually do it’, and asked me if I wanted to join.

“I said ‘that would be great’, and that’s when Joel messaged and said ‘let’s do it’.”

In preparation for the big climb, the pair have been training once a week with the group, and about two or three times by themselves when their schedule suits.

Most recently, the team visited Adelaide Oval to practice on the stadium’s stairs, which they hope to utilise more of before the big day.

Mr Doecke said training was difficult, but being alongside other firies gave an added push.

“Neither of us are super fit, but you put on this gear and the heavy oxygen cylinder and BA set, and it becomes so much harder,” he said.

“We’ve now managed to gain access to Adelaide Oval whenever we like, so we’re hoping to do more specialised stair climbing instead of just walking around, which will be good for fitness.

“I think on the day we’re all there as a team, and there’s going to be hundreds of firefighters from Australia and around the world, so (we’ll have) that environment and buzz of all challenging ourselves and pushing each other to go our hardest and climb those 28 storeys.”

Similarly, Mr Chudleigh was looking forward to stepping up to the challenge and continuing to grow the connection between the two brigades.

“It’s easy to sit back and not do much, but because we’ve got a fairly big responsibility – protecting the community in general – the fitter we can be, the better,” he said.

“It’s probably that connection as well with the Strathalbyn lads (because) when you go out to a job and you know the people and have a good relationship with them, it’s a bit easier to know what they’re thinking and work with them.

“I love the idea as well of the community supporting us doing something.

“Down here at Clayton Bay we have a pretty good relationship with the township, and it’s just that further connection we have with them.”

To donate, visit (https://www.firefighterclimb.org.au/station/sa-cfs/clayton-bay/?fbclid=IwAR1LGz59h-NzGNSWI1SDBygP-LzhH_dQ-IaOGzhXsrYqq4yVSXuxQq8CEDE).