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Raising funds to fight depression, post traumatic stress and suicide

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On Saturday 10 September Maldon’s CFA Captain, Sean McCubbin, and 600 other firefighters and emergency services personnel will be climbing the 28 floors of Crown Metropol Hotel to raise funds for mental health.

Participants will be wearing 25kgs of turnout gear and breathing apparatus as they climb the steps for the ninth annual Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb, which aims to break down the stigma around mental health, and be a leader in the emergency services community in the mental health space.

“It’s one big family for a cause,” said Captain McCubbin. “Members of all the emergency services family, joining together for an important cause, whether it be for personal experience or a professional work-life experience.”

Each month local CFA’s from Maldon, Chewton, Harcourt, Castlemaine and Campbells Creek host a training exercise; In September Maldon CFA Captain, Sean McCubbin, will be completing his 6th Melbourne Firefighter’s Stair Climb to raise money for depression, PTSI and suicide.
Photos courtesy Stephen Kranby

It is hoped this year’s stair climb will raise $600,000 to help improve services, fund research and remove stigma by supporting Lifeline, Fortem and the 000 Foundation.

Each year the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb helps to raise awareness of mental health issues such as: depression, post traumatic stress injury (PTSI) and suicide, particularly as it relates to those within the emergency service and defence communities.

Over 65,000 Australians attempt to take their own life every year, and suicide rates in defence, emergency services and protective services is significantly elevated compared to other occupations.

For each life lost to suicide, the impacts are felt by up to 135 people, including family, friends, work colleagues and first responders at time of death.

The Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climbers are inviting friends and supporters of the emergency services community to join the climb virtually and collectively climb a ‘million steps for mental health,’ by climbing at least 3,139 steps in a month, beginning 10 August and concluding 10 September.

Whether it be your back steps, some stairs at the local park or even a milk crate in the lounge room, the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climbers urge you to ‘step up’.

Visit: www.firefighterclimb.org.au for more information or to donate.

Tarrangower Times 29 July 2022

This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 29 July 2022.

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