Tara Murray
Whittlesea firefighters Brandon and Stephanie Smith are using whatever steps they can find to complete the One Million Steps For Mental Health challenge.
Running instead of the annual Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb due to COVID-19, firefighters across the state are looking to climb stairs in their local community for a month until October 10.
The husband and wife have taken part in the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb over the past few years.
Brandon said he started doing the climb to help support people with mental health issues and raise money to support groups that offer assistance.
Each firefighter will climb a minimum of 3046 steps over the month, which reflects the number of people who lose their lives to suicide each year.
With lockdown and restrictions on how far you can travel, Brandon said it was proving a challenge to get the steps in.
“It’s been hard to try and find steps around Whittlesea at the moment,” he said.
“We’ve been using playgrounds which have stone steps to get them in.
“We’re slowly ticking at it.”
The Smiths are looking to raise $1000 each over the next month. Money raised this year will be donated to the Lifeline, the Black Dog Institute and the 000 Foundation.
More than $2.4 million has been raised for a variety of charities since the first stair climb in 2014, with the aim to raise $500,000 this year.
CFA firefighter and organiser Trent Egan said he wanted to find a way for the event to continue this year.
“Given the challenge is virtual this year, it is also open to friends, family members or anyone in the community who wishes to participate,” he said.
“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.”
To donate, visit: www.firefighterclimb.org.au/
