Morpeth firefighters ascend Sydney Eye for MND

Morpeth firefighter Jake Hawkins said it was the crew’s third time participating in the 98-storey climb of the Sydney Eye –  as part of the annual Firefighters Climb for MND.

“The Morpeth crew usually are assisting our community during emergency situations,” he said.

"But when seeing first hand the significant changes MND does to a person in such a short amount of time and the impact on families and friends, the Smokin Swans (Morpeth Fire and Rescue) felt the need to help increase the awareness of motor neurone disease to the community and raise funds to assist."

The local crew has currently raised $9859 in supported of MND

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a progressive, terminal neurological disease with no known treatment or cure. Each day, in Australia, two or more people die from MND and more than two people are diagnosed with MND.

“The crew of Morpeth are closely affected by motor neurone disease by knowing many people that are suffering or have lost their battle with MND,” Mr Hawkins said. 

“We are primarily driven by two top blokes by the name of Adam Marcus and Phil Camden living with MND. 

“The Morpeth crew feels that since we are in a role that we are expected to be fit what better way to climb the Sydney Tower Eye to raise awareness and donations for such a great a cause."

The annual Firefighters Climb for MND, established in 2015, attracts more than 600 firefighters.

Each climb the Sydney tower’s 98 storeys – to the observation deck – wearing full structural firefighting gear, which weighs about 20 kilograms.

Firefighters raise money before making the climb, which this year will be held on October 20. 

This money is donated to Macquarie University, which houses Australia’s largest MND research facility.

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