Firefighters face off with C2S’s Heartbreak Hill in firefighting gear to raise funds for children with serious burns - Bondi

Published: 12 Aug 2024 03:18pm

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters wearing firefighting gear have powered through this year’s City2Surf, raising $80,208 for children suffering serious burns injuries.

FRNSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell AFSM, along with a crew of 19 fellow firefighters, faced off with Heartbreak Hill wearing helmets and breathing apparatus, to raise vital funds for the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation (SCHF).

This event is the latest in a string of fundraising efforts by FRNSW volunteer group, Beat the Burn, formerly known as ‘400in4.’

Since 2006, Beat the Burn has raised over $1.3 million for SCHF, which allocates funds to the Burns Unit, FRNSW’s official number 002 Station.

Commissioner Fewtrell said that his main motivation for taking part in the event stemmed from his years of experience attending incidents where children have suffered life-changing burns injuries.

“A burn injury can happen in a matter of seconds, but can take weeks, months and even years for a child to fully recover from,” Commissioner Fewtrell said.

“FRNSW is committed to ensuring these brave kids are fully supported in their recovery by raising as much money as possible for the Burns Unit, as well as helping to prevent burns injuries through our prevention and education initiatives.

“Today was tough, but the kids in the Burns Unit are doing it even tougher. Every step was for them today.”

Commissioner Fewtrell and the firefighters celebrated the end of the 14-kilometre event by presenting a cheque to SCHF’s Chief Marketing Officer Kate Ferguson.

“For some kids, childhood is far from what it should be. Instead of playdates there are appointments. Instead of sleepovers there are stays. Instead of firsts there can be lasts,” said Kate Ferguson, Chief Marketing Officer of SCHF.

“No child should have to go through this, but those who do deserve our all,” she said.

“Thanks to the generosity of FRNSW’s support, we can continue having both immediate effect and long-term impact on the lives and treatment of children suffering serious burns in NSW."

Eight-year-old burns survivor, Bella, is grateful for the effort and dedication shown by FRNSW in this year’s City2Surf.

Bella spent weeks in The Burns Unit at the Sydney Children’s Hospital at Westmead after receiving burns to her legs when a eucalyptus stump in a fire pit combusted.

“After my burn, I couldn’t get out of my hospital bed for six weeks. I was in a lot of pain and had to learn to walk all over again,” Bella said.

“The money that the firefighters raise helps buy machines and medicine for kids like me in hospital,” she added, “Thank you firefighters!”

For more information about Beat the Burn, visit www.beattheburn.org