By Gabriella Vukman
On Saturday 2 September, the sound of thundering boots echoed from the stairs of the Melbourne’s Crown Metropol.
Two of these boots belonged to Hillcrest CFA member and Volunteer Rochelle Poulton.
The Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb takes place each year in September to raise money for cancer research, crisis support and mental health services.
“I started doing the stair climb in 2018,” Rochelle said.
In order to contribute to the donations, Rochelle collects car batteries from “far and wide,” depositing them at the North Star recycling station in Bayswater.
“It’s really good because I’ve made some great connections with many people.”
Over the past five years Rochelle has raised roughly $8400 for the CFA stair climb from her battery collection and her services are beginning to gain attention from the community.
“People remember my name from previous years. They know of me collecting batteries and want to help out,” she said.
Aiming to raise $1600 this year, Rochelle has successfully collected 181 car batteries, rocketing her contributions over the years to $10,000.
“This year I collected three tonnes worth of batteries. I just want to thank everyone who has given me a call and contributed.”
The CFA is aiming to raise $700,000 and was at the $500,000 mark just a week before the climb. With total funds currently at $600,000, donations are still open.
“Everything that’s raised goes towards Lifeline, 000 Foundation for emergency services and the Peter McCallum Foundation for cancer research.”
Rochelle notes the importance of mental health and emergency services.
“Being in the emergency services you do see some stuff and it does affect us, so it’s really important to advocate for services such as the 000 foundation and lifeline and let everyone know that it is okay” she said.
“Mental health is and has been something that no one talks about but for the last couple of years, especially since covid as well, everyone’s been talking about it a lot more and people are more comfortable with the topic.”
Rochelle has already started her battery collecting for next year and hopes to beat this year’s record of 181 batteries.
“I dropped off all my batteries last Tuesday and I got a call to come and pick up more batteries on Tuesday night so I’ve already started collecting batteries for next year.”
Outlining the benefits that stem from recycling batteries, Rochelle encourages people with old car batteries lying around to give her a call or dispose of them properly.
“It’s important for people to know that it doesn’t actually cost you to dispose of them properly, you actually get money for it when you do it. Environmental hazards and the leaking of battery acid can be prevented by correct disposal and reuse,” Rochelle said.
To donate to the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb fund go to; www.firefighterclimb.org.au
