Leading up to a major fundraiser in Melbourne in September, Badger Creek CFA is hosting another event to raise money for the main fundraiser.
Fire brigade members, their families, and other local emergency crews will be cycling for 24 hours.
The 24 hour spin athon will kick off at 5pm on Friday 22 August.
Federal Casey MP Aaron Viloi will be the first person jumping on a bike to open the ride.
“(After Aaron,) we’ll take it in turns. We’ve got a roster of CFA members, families, Healesville SES and possibly another brigade,” Badger Creek CFA community safety coordinator Sally Wannet said.
“We’ll just continue to ride the cycle for 24 hours, and close it up at 5pm on the following day.
“We plan on doing some live crossovers to promote us, the SES, and any local businesses that make any large donations.”
All of the proceeds raised from the 24 hour spin athon fundraiser will go directly to Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb (MFSC), where firefighters and emergency services personnel will battle 28 floors in up to 25kg of turnout gear and breathing apparatus, or similarly weighted operational equipment of their emergency service.
Four firefighters from Badger Creek CFA will participate in the event on Saturday 6 September at the Crown Metropol to support raising funds for Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation, Lifeline and the 000 Foundation for their cancer research and crisis support.
This will be the first time the four firefighters join the climb, which is on its 12th anniversary.
Ms Wannet joined the Badger Creek Fire Brigade two years ago after having been involved with CFA with other brigades since 2004.
The firefighter with over two decades of experience said the funds which MFSC are raising will be used for something close to her heart.
“But it is also to give myself a goal to keep myself moving physically because firefighting is a physical job,” Ms Wannet said.
“For me, it’s motivation to keep moving and active for the upcoming summer, the fire season.”
Amanda Redwood joined the Badger Creek CFA relatively recently and became a qualified firefighter in March.
Ms Redwood said being in her first year in the brigade, she wanted to get involved in the CFA’s events.
“I like a challenge, and the stair climb seemed like a pretty good challenge to get involved in; it’s not a marathon or a half-marathon,” she said.
“Being able to give back to the charities that are involved in cancer, depression and suicide is a pretty big deal.”
Lyndall Parsons has been volunteering for the local fire brigade for seven years.
Ms Parsons said she wanted to use this climb event as a momentum to get back into the brigade because she hadn’t been active last year while looking after her grandson.
“I want to get back into the brigade, I’m wanting to get fit,” she said.
“I’ve always been very community-oriented, and I feel like it brings the brigade out into the community more.”
Firefighter Joey Slootman has volunteered for the local CFA for two and a half years.
He said since being a firefighter, the secondary things that he comes across are mental health and people with cancer, which made him think more of participating in the event.
“There are a whole array of things that come at you as an emergency worker, but also in general life, a lot of people struggle with a lot of things you don’t know about,” Mr Slootman said.
“This is just a little thing you can do to help.”
The firefighters have tried hard to get them prepared physically for the upcoming two challenges.
Ms Wannet has attended spin classes, gone swimming, and got out with a weighted vest walking around paddocks.
Ms Redwood has gone to the gym and is going to do it more regularly.
Ms Parsons has joined a line dancing class, has gone for a walk with weights on her back and has run up and down stairs at work.
Mr Slootman has pushed himself to train more, including bike riding, running and swimming.
“Doing a challenge like this is the little push that you sometimes need to go a bit harder,” the firefighter said.
“Training with the brigade is also a decent exercise: rolling up hoses, running around with hoses with water in them.
“I wish more people would be volunteer firefighters because it’s good for them mentally and physically.”
The MFSC organiser provided a recommended five-week training program, and the Badger Creek crew are also planning to organise team training based on that program.
The Badger Creek CFA members are aiming to raise $4000 to support the cause.
To support the firefighters’ journey, please visit the following website link, firefighterclimb.org.au/station/cfa/badger-creek
