Three stalwart Griffith Firemen are tackling the monumental climb of the Sydney Tower Eye in a bid to raise funds and awareness in the fight against Motor Neurone disease (MND).
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Chris Evans, Matthew Carroll and Aaron Hoad, retained firefighters from Griffith station 311, have been training hard to join 500 of their comdrades for the grueling challenge on Saturday October 14.
The trio will climb the Sydney Tower Eye, which has 98 storeys and 1504 stairs at a vertical rise of 820 feet, all while wearing the full 20kg structural Firefighting ensemble and air sets.
“It is a challenge, but its nothing compared to the challenges face by someone with MND,” Chris said.
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The Griffith community has helped the trio raise $6500 through fundraising events, such as Bunnings barbecues, raffle tickets, as well as online through a national Go Fund Me page, the proceeds of which go directly to the Macquarie University Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research.
“It’s a credit to the Griffith community for getting behind us like they have,” Matthew said.
“It’s great to be involved in raising money for a good cause, and to set myself a physical challenge to overcome.”
His efforts inspired Chris and Ethan to join in with the event this time around.
“Matthew did it last year, and I was so impressed with the whole set up and the charity, Aaron and I decided we wanted to be a part of it this year,” Chris said.
“It is something very close to my heart, as I have had a couple of friends pass away and a few who have MND and are suffering now.”
While some super keen firies will try to beat the standing record of a 14 minute climb, Matthew will fight hard to beat his previous times, and Aaron and Chris will see how they go.
”I ambled up last year in 21 minutes with next to no training under my belt, so the goal for this year is to beat that,” Matthew said.
“Just to do the climb will be an achievement, and thinking about those who suffer along the way, I’m very much looking forward to it,” Chris said.
If you would like to help the trio get to their goal of $7000, head to the Go Fund Me page.
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