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Making a difference one step at a time

Local firefighters climbed for a cause during the annual stairclimb challenge. The challenge, which took place in Calgary at the BOW Tower, is in support of firefighters and citizens living with cancer.
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Local firefighters took part in the stairclimb challenge in Calgary.

Local firefighters climbed for a cause during the annual stairclimb challenge.


The challenge, which took place in Calgary at the BOW Tower, is in support of firefighters and citizens living with cancer.


“It’s a big family bonding experience and we get people working towards a common cause,” said Station 5 chief Darryl Shyian.


This was the third year Bonnyville-area firefighters have participated in the challenge, but for Curtis Blanchette it was his first time taking part in the climb.


“This was my first year and it was interesting,” Blanchette described. “I heard about other members who have done it in previous years. I wanted to show support and try to raise some money for the organization.”


The Calgary Firefighters Benevolent Society hosted the event on Sunday, April 29. The challenge was to climb 775 vertical feet, or 1,204 steps of the BOW tower, but there’s a catch. Firefighters have to complete the world’s highest stairclimb in their full duty gear.


“My goal this year was to do the full challenge without stopping and keeping my helmet on,” expressed Colin Atkinson, local firefighter.


He added, “The previous year, I took lots of breaks and it slowed me down considerably because I didn’t’ know what to expect. This year, I just paused to let people go by me that were faster than me, but I found a good pace and stuck to it and kept my mind focused on getting one foot ahead of the other and I finally got up to the top. It was much better than the previous year, I’m very proud of myself.”


Of the 750 firefighters from all over North America selected to take part, six locals accepted the challenge. In preparation for the big day, they started training in February twice a week.


Blanchette trained by going up and down the stairs 55 times.


“It seemed a bit daunting at first, but once you’re inside the tower, you’re just going up the stairs until you’re done,” he said.


Local firefighters had more than one reason for strapping on their gear and hitting the steps.


“My motivation is the cancer society that helps to look after firefighters because cancer is one of the leading contributors to death within the fire department,” expressed Atkinson. “I wanted to give back to all the men and women that volunteer their time for various reasons and help out people in that regards.”


Blanchette added, “It supports a great organization. It helps people fight cancer, so no one has to fight alone.”


Shyian said the Bonnyville group alone raised about $4,000, with the event collecting approximately $340,000 overall.


The money is in support of Wellspring Calgary, who announced this year they will be gifting a portion of the proceeds to the Firefighters Assistance Charitable Society.

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