11 October 2024
Defence personnel joined firefighters and emergency services personnel from across the world for the 11th Annual Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb at the Crown Metropol hotel in Melbourne.
Participants scaled the building’s 28 floors while carrying up to 25kg of firefighting equipment to raise funds for Lifeline, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation and the 000 Foundation.
Among them was Sergeant Christopher May, of 8th Brigade’s Melbourne University Regiment, a Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC) combat veteran who works as a firefighter at Fire Rescue Victoria.
Sergeant May was also an event coordinator for the climb.
“Our veteran team consisted of nine current serving members and seven ex-serving members from regular and reserve forces across the three services,” he said. “The combined total raised by our team was $25,340.”
In his fourth year participating, he completed the climb in five minutes, 22 seconds and raised more than $13,500.
“With this year’s efforts, I have now raised $86,057,” he said.
According to Sergeant May, the climb has raised $4.4 million since it began in 2014.
Also on the veteran team were Leading Aircraftman Sean Camilleri, who finished the climb in five minutes, 15 seconds and Sergeant Joel Baker, from the School of Armour. They raised $5562.
Former 5th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, soldier and now forest firefighter Xavier Wells took the challenge to the next level, carrying a chainsaw in addition to the firefighting gear up all 28 floors in just four minutes, 11 seconds.
Sergeant May urged other Defence personnel to take up the challenge next year.
“This year’s climb was by far the biggest, with 727 climbers in attendance,” he said.
“I implore Defence personnel considering taking part next year to do it. It’s a mammoth challenge and a great day with great people.”
