The 20-year-old was one of about 600 firefighters and emergency service personnel across Australia who stormed up the stairway to raise funds and awareness for mental health on Saturday, September 10.
CFA firefighters joined participants from all over Australia to kit up in 25kgs of turnout and breathing apparatus gear, and scale 28 floors together, raising funds for Lifeline, Fortem and the 000Foundation in the process.
“It was good – really good,” Fletcher told the Yarrawonga Chronicle about his 5.43 minutes climb. “I raised $1,495 and thank everybody who pitched in to support me. It was very generous of them.”
This year’s challenge raised a total of more than $500,000 to improve support services, fund research, remove stigmas and raise awareness for mental health issues such as depression, PTSD and suicide.
With number 543 on his back, Fletcher’s start time was 10.30am, 20 seconds after the firefighter in front of him. He was one of the youngest in the big climb. “There were a few other 20-year-olds,” he said.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said it was great for emergency service personnel to come together in person and take the challenge head-on to raise money for a worthy cause.
“This is a fantastic physical event that our CFA volunteers have been enthusiastically participating in for nine years running now,” he said.
“We’re coming out of an incredibly tough few years which no doubt have taken their toll on people’s mental health in many ways, so it’s great to support these issues by finally coming together for some friendly competition and exercise.”
This year’s Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb challenge was held as an in-person event for the first time since 2019.
CFA climbers were joined by members from FRV, FFMVic, Victoria Police, South Australian Country Fire Service, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Fire and Rescue NSW, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, Tasmania Fire Service and Western Australia’s Department of Fire and Rescue Services joined virtually.
Since its inception in 2014, the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb has raised more than $3 million, benefitting Alfred Hospital Burns Unit, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Lifeline, Black Dog Institute, Emergency Services Foundation and 000Foundation.
Those who wish to donate or learn more about the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb, visit www.firefighterclimb.org.au.
The fastest time of the 2022 climb was 3.34 minutes, by Nick Keys of Geelong, from the 40-49-age category. Fletcher’s time of 5.43 placed him 42nd out of 385 with the turn out and breathing apparatus.
Was he exhausted after the climb? “Surprisingly not,” was Fletcher’s response. “I paced myself a bit to make sure I finished. Only four did not complete the climb.”
Next year? “Certainly, I’ll go again and aim for under five minutes,” he said. “I’ll start intensive training three months out.”
In more good news for Fletcher, he has successfully completed all requirements of apprentice mechanic with Yarrawonga Ford. “I signed off yesterday!” a satisfied, now qualified tradesperson said.
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