Firefighters from Lacombe headed to Calgary recently to participate in Wellspring Alberta’s 10th annual Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge.
The event, which took place at Brookfield Place on June 9, sees firefighters wearing modified firefighting gear climb a whopping 1,370 steps, spanning 57 stories, all while raising funds to help provide free cancer support to Albertans, according to a release.
Wellspring Alberta is a registered charity offering a range of free programs for cancer patients and their families designed to provide connection and belonging, ease pain, fatigue, and distress, build strength and mobility, and support financial and workplace challenges.
Meanwhile, the Lacombe Fire team had seven participants and raised $4,414.40.
Team member Tammy Brigley won the fastest climber in her category (female 51-plus) at a time of 17:28.
This marks the second year in a row that she achieved this standing as well, as last year she was tops in her category of 36 to 50. Member Cassandra Pallot landed second place in the category as well.
“It went well,” Brigley said. “They line you up, and then about every 20 seconds, they send a person up.”
Team members train for several weeks before the event as well.
“For a couple of us, we’ve been training twice weekly running the stairs. And then on the other days, we were in the gym.
“Closer to the end, a couple more joined us for one day a week basically, and everyone just kind of did their own thing this year.”
It’s a challenging event to be sure, as the building is Calgary’s tallest - dwarfing the Calgary Tower.
“You just have to close your mind to everything else and concentrate on one step after the other and push as hard as you can push,” she explained.
“Once you get (near) the top, the rush is on and you pick up your pace a bit. This year, we also waited until all of our group was through. They give you some refreshments, and you sit there and chill, and just take it all in.
“It’s a pretty cool experience to finish and to also know about the good cause that you are doing it for.”
For Brigley, taking part in the event brings a huge sense of fulfillment.
“It’s amazing to be able to do it. And for me to get first (in my category) again was pretty awesome, too.”
As mentioned, the event raises money for cancer support programs, with proceeds benefiting Wellspring Alberta, supporting anyone diagnosed with cancer, their caregivers, and their families.
“Year after year, we’re impressed by the dedicated participants who train relentlessly and show up to support Wellspring Alberta. Their commitment and passion are what make this such an amazing event,” said Natalie Noble, Wellspring Alberta CEO.
Wellspring Alberta is also dedicated to reaching every corner of the province, helping to make sure cancer patients and their families in rural and regional communities receive the support they need, noted the release.
