Mount Everest is nearly 10,000 kilometres away from Canberra, but ACT firefighters will scale the height of the mountain this month, in a physical endurance challenge to raise thousands of dollars for Lifeline Canberra.

On Saturday 18 March, ACT Fire and Rescue members will charge up Mt Ainslie, breathing apparatuses on their backs. Five teams of five volunteers will each do eight 36 km laps (four round trips of the summit track, up and down): the equivalent of the height of Mt Everest (8.85 km).

This is the second year running the ESA Ainslie to Everest has been held.

• ACT fireys to ‘climb Everest’ via Mt Ainslie for Lifeline (18 March 2022)

“Anyone who’s done Mt Ainslie just for fitness knows that one lap is a good workout,” organiser Sean Guinard said. “So to do eight laps with the BA [breathing apparatus] set on, non-stop, is quite a challenging feat!”

As first responders on the front line, Lifeline is a cause close to firefighters’ hearts, Mr Guinard said. Everyone involved was keen to hop on board, take the challenge, and raise money for a good cause.

“We pretty much point everyone to Lifeline if they’re in a tough situation,” Mr Guinard said. “The community is facing unprecedented times. We joined emergency services to help the community … and anything we can do to create a better mental space for the community is a bonus.”

Mr Guinard wants to raise enough money to support the charity for a month. Every $26 donated covers the cost of a lifesaving call to Lifeline’s 24/7 crisis support hotline (13 11 14). In December, Lifeline answered 2,733 phone calls, which cost more than $71,000.

Last year’s Ainslie to Everest raised $55,000 for Lifeline; the firefighters’ target this year is $50,000, but Mr Guinard dreams of doubling that, and raising $100,000.

“That would be an unbelievable goal to reach,” he said. “I am happy with whatever we raise, but always set goals as high as you can, and hopefully we reach those.”

Mr Guinard hopes this will be an annual event, getting more support each year. He wants to raise $1 million over the next decade.

“It is humbling to receive this support from the ACT Emergency Service Agency, an organisation that works 24/7 to secure the safety and wellbeing of our community,” Lifeline Canberra CEO Carrie Leeson said.

Fun for all the family

The event on Saturday 18 March will be a great family day and a lot of fun, Mr Guinard said. Community activities will take place at the Mt Ainslie summit from 10am.

Fire and Rescue will bring out their appliances, making it a mini open day. Their colleagues in other branches of the ACT Emergency Services Agency – the Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Service, and the Ambulance Service – will have information tents, face painting, and sausage sizzles, while ACT Pipes and Drums will provide music.

The event is sponsored by Allhomes, Capital Chemist, HIIT Republic, Hopscotch, Brodburger, and the Ainslie Football & Social Club. Each sponsor will also have a pop-up tent.

“Last year, everyone who showed up had a great time,” Mr Guinard said. “It’s a really cool event.”

The first firefighters will set off at 9am, wearing sports gear and runners, and carrying breathing apparatus that weighs between eight and 12 kg.

“Obviously, we wear them on a regular basis, but to walk 33 km with them bouncing up and down – it’s a bit discomforting, but not too bad,” Mr Guinard said.

The inspiration for the event came from the physical exercises Mr Guinard and another firefighter would do together. His friend suggested they raise money for their next one.

“Mental health plays a big role within emergency services,” Mr Guinard said. “That’s where I put my focus on who we raise money for – and Lifeline was an easy pick for us.

“Everesting being an enduro sport challenge, we played with ideas of how we could do that, and then make firefighter-related tasks, doing the BA sets on the back and then hiking the overall height of Mt Everest as a team. Because everything we do within the job is team-based.”

To prepare for the challenge, groups do laps of Mt Ainslie together – a fun lead-up to the challenge itself, Mr Guinard said.

“It’s the only way to train, in my opinion, but 33 km just walking is enough to make your feet sore!”

Last year, it took more than seven hours for all the teams taking part to finish.

“I’m looking forward to the end of the walk – but, honestly, the whole day is really enjoyable!” Mr Guinard said.

“The support that comes from the people not necessarily participating; it’s just a really good vibe all day. Everyone’s in a real upbeat mood, and knowing what we’re doing the event for obviously makes the walk a lot easier.”

“It is a fantastic community event, bringing fun and connection to everyone that participates and attends,” Ms Leeson said.

“We look forward to participating ourselves and meeting with the community when they pop in to enjoy the festivities.”

To support the cause and donate to Lifeline, visit esaainslietoeverest.gofundraise.com.au/.