Two fire fighters from Griffith’s Fire and Rescue Station 311 are once again tackling the huge climb of Sydney’s Eye Tower, to raise money and hope for those suffering with Motor Neuron Disease (MND).
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For the second time, retained fire fighters Chris Evans and Aaron Hoad are taking the 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 was one of the best, most satisfying things I’ve ever done,” Mr Evans said.
“Just knowing fitness wise I can climb that amount of stairs, but also knowing who you are doing it for – it’s about more than fitness.”
MND is no small issue in Griffith, being one of three regions in Australia with the highest ratio of MND for population.
The average is one in 40,000, but in the Griffith region there is around 10 patients, with researchers are continuing to examine the link between blue-green algae, found in in Lake Wyangan, and MND.
“I’ve had friends who have suffered with MND, but not only that, last year when we did the climb you meet those with MND as they come to watch – it is incredibly rewarding to see and meet those you are helping,” Mr Evans said.
While Mr Hoad said he is “winging” the fitness aspect, Mr Evans is training at least two times a week with a gym sessions, walking running and climbing the stairs behind the Co-op building, all in full gear.
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Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a progressive, terminal neurological disease, with no known treatment or cure. All donations from the Firies Climb for MND go to Macquarie University which houses Australia’s largest MND research facility.
“Fundraising has been a bit slow, but we’ve raised about $2000 so far. Last year we got to around $10,000 but we did have an extra person with us,” Mr Evans said.
If you would like to help Aaron and Chris on their way to the top for the October 20 climb, click here.
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