By Esther Lauaki
A Hoppers Crossing firefighter is stepping up his support for those living with mental illness.
Mark Unwin and a small team of colleagues will take on the Melbourne Firefighters Stair Climb in September in honour of a crew member who died last month.
Mr Unwin will compete against more than 600 firefighters to climb 28 floors of the Crown Metropol Hotel wearing full firefighting gear.
He and members from Hoppers Crossing CFA have already raised $300 towards a $2000 goal.
“I think it’s important to give back to the community in whatever way you can, and I choose to do that by volunteering my services as a firefighter,” Mr Unwin said.
“Mental health is extremely prevalent these days and within our brigade we lost a member to mental health issues last month.
“I think raising awareness around mental health issues and trying to raise funds to support those people is important.
“It’s also about letting people know that there are people in the community that are volunteering their time to assist you when you are at your most vulnerable and there are a range of support services that these people need which also need funding.”
The September 7 event, now in its sixth year, brings together career and volunteer firefighters from all over Australasia and the world to compete.
Organisers hope to raise $700,000 for Lifeline and the Black Dog Institute towards fighting depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide. The funds raised will improve support services, fund research, remove stigmas and raise awareness of mental health issues like depression, PTSD and suicide, especially for those within the emergency and defence services.
Donations and contributions can be made at www.firefighterclimb.org.au/climber/markunwin
