Local firefighters competed in the annual Climb the Wall event in Vancouver on Sunday, March 24.
As of publication, Harrison Hot Springs firefighters raised a total of $815 for the B.C. Lung Foundation. There were five members on the team this year: Zander Pipiez, Alex Maslin, Thomas Redden, Shane Rutledge and Hillary Vandereijk.
During the Climb the Wall event, firefighters and other climbers are tasked with climbing every stair of the 48 storeys of the Sheraton Wall Centre; firefighters climb in full gear, which can weigh at least 50 pounds.
One in five British Columbians lives with lung or breathing conditions, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (or COPD, sleep apnea, lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis and cystic fibrosis.
“It was more than just a climb,” the fire department posted on social media. “It was a step towards making a significant impact on lung health, supporting the B.C. Lung Foundation in their crucial work.”