Lynne Mowbray|

Preparations are underway for the annual ‘Firies Climb for MND’ (Motor Neuron Disease), which raises much needed funds for research and awareness of the disease.

Each year Fire + Rescue (FRNSW) firefighters come together for the grueling challenge of climbing the 1,504 steps of the Sydney Tower Eye, wearing over 20kg of full structural firefighting gear, to raise money for research into this insidious disease.

Last year, three of the FRNSW crew from 372 station Maclean – Boyd Moore, Andrew Tom and Sam Headon, took on the challenge.

Out of the 600 firies who did the climb, the Maclean firies had good placings: Boyd 67/600, Andrew 68/600 and Sam 85/600 (due to losing a glove during the climb).

The Maclean firies started their preparation early for this year’s climb, on Saturday November 9 at the Sydney Eye Tower.

Every week since March, the men have been training at Pulse Fitness in Maclean, fully decked out in their firefighting  gear.

The Maclean station has one less climber this year, after Boyd moved away from the area, so only Andrew and Sam will be taking part.

The two men are keener than ever to improve on last year’s times and positions and to raise funds to help find a cure for MND.

On Saturday (October 19) at 4pm, the men are holding a charity barefoot bowls day at the Maclean Bowling Club. Everyone is welcome and there will be heaps of prizes. All proceeds will go to the MND fundraiser.

Andrew and Sam would like to thank Pulse Fitness for their support and all the businesses who have donated prizes for the bowls day.

For more information or to donate, go to the link: fundraiser.firersclimbformnd.org.au/page/maclean 372