Northwich firefighters set to scale new heights for charity

On-call firefighters are gearing up to climb the height of Mount Everest to raise essential cash for charity.

The team from Northwich Fire Station are set to embark on the daunting challenge at 10am on Saturday 18 July.

Between them, they have to climb 8,848 metres.

A JustGiving page has been set up for the challenge and all the money raised will go to The Fire Fighters Charity, the UK’s leading provider of services that enhance the quality of life for serving and retired fire service personnel and their families.

On-call Watch Manager Trevor Bebbington said: “The Fire Fighters Charity provides essential support to both serving and retired firefighters.

“The charity relies on donations and fundraising for the vital respite, recuperation and rehabilitation that it provides for sick and injured firefighters and their families.

“The coronavirus pandemic has caused a massive reduction in the level of funding The Fire Fighters Charity has received this year and we are determined to do our bit to help make up some of the shortfall.”

The firefighters will take on the mountainous challenge without leaving their fire station in Braddon Close.

Instead of going to all the way to Mount Everest in Nepal, the team will climb up and down two 13.5-metre ladders set up against the drill tower outside the station.

Trevor added: “We love a challenge and this is definitely going to be a gruelling test.

“Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world and as part of the challenge we will all  have to scale the ladders a staggering 655 times.

“We have created a JustGiving for the challenge and are hoping to raise at least £1,500 for The Fire Fighters Charity.

“I urge people to donate as much money as they can for the fantastic work that The Fire Fighters Charity does.”

Anyone willing to make a donation for the charity challenge can do so online at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/northwich-firefighters-climb-everest .