Firefighter reaches higher as he scales the Furber Steps for charity - Katoomba
Published: 13 Sep 2022 11:18am
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighter, Gavin Clifton, is just days away from his latest fund-raising venture for charity, climbing 16 hours non-stop up and down the Furber Steps at Katoomba in the Blue Mountains.
Gavin, an On-call (Retained) firefighter, based at Wentworth Falls Fire Station, is aiming to raise $20,000 to aid research into Motor Neurone Disease, as part of the annual ‘Firie’s Climb for MND’ program.
A two-time veteran of the Sydney Tower climb, Gavin is “upping the ante” on his third assault on the Furber Steps, this time adding another four hours of running to the charity effort, from midnight to 4pm on Saturday 17 September.
He’s expecting to traverse the set of 996 steps around 25 times during the day.
“It’s a combination of being a ‘firie’ for FRNSW, wanting to stay fit and healthy, and being able to make a contribution to society…it’s a good cause,” Gavin said.
“It’s an insidious disease.
“No-one’s done 50-kilometres up and down the steepest stairs in the Blue Mountains before, it’s quite a unique experience and I guess that’s what keeps me going.
Gavin will be joined by a large group of supporters, many who’ve lost loved ones to MND.
Also cheering him on will be MND sufferer, Phil Camden, who’s travelling from Bairnsdale, Victoria, to lend his support.
“I’m doing it for these people,” Gavin said, “I’m happy to do it tough because I know they’re doing it tough.
“I just won’t let myself fail…I’m a bit stubborn like that.”
Donations to the charity run can be made via:
https://firiesclimbformnd.org.au/page/FiriesClimbforMNDBlueMountains [external link]
Media Note: Video of Gavin and his supporters on a training run along the stairs and grabs of Gavin are available here:
https://vimeo.com/748990451/e65bc4d4f6 [external link]
Gavin is also available for interview at 0405 643 946
[ends]
Updated: 30 Jan 2023 09:14pm
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Stations nearby
14 Cascade Street, Katoomba NSW 2780
194-196 The Mall, Leura NSW 2780
3 Cascade Street, Wentworth Falls NSW 2782