By Jed Lanyon
Coldstream resident Nathan Hodgetts will be participating in the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb while raising funds for the Emergency Services Foundation, Lifeline and the Black Dog Institute.
Several hundred fire fighters across Victoria will take part in climbing 28 floors of Crown Metropol Hotel while wearing their fire fighting gear and breathing apparatus, which can weigh up to 25 kilograms.
The event aims to raise $700,000 and Mr Hodgetts said he hopes to raise $1000 for the cause.
This year will mark the fourth year that Mr Hodgetts has competed in the event, while he has helped to raise funds in each of the six years the stair climb has taken place.
“They raise funds for a different charity each year and this year it will be to support PTSI (post-traumatic stress injury) depression and suicide.”
“We’ll be raising funds for a good cause and then we get together with good mates who are with other stations from other areas in Victoria.”
“Raising the money is something for me to do to help out and put back in to what other people have done,” Mr Hodgetts said.
The event first started to commemorate the fire fighters who lost their lives in the September 11 attacks.
According to the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb, 10 per cent of emergency services members suffer from PTSI.
For more information about the fundraiser or to donate to Mr Hodgetts, visit: https://www.firefighterclimb.org.au/climber/nathanhodgetts/
