By Victoria Stone-Meadows
A NARRE Warren North fire-fighter will be tackling 88 storeys of stairs in full fire-fighting gear later this month when he takes on the Eureka Climb challenge.
Andrew Norman, 26, from Endeavour Hills will be raising money and representing the Narre Warren North CFA when he climbs the stairs of Eureka Tower to raise money for charity.
Mr Norman will be carrying 23 kilograms of fire-fighting equipment from the base of the tower up 300 metres of vertical staircase to the Eureka Skydeck for the fourth year in a row.
The first year I did it, I thought the cause was really good and the two foundations do really great work,” Mr Norman said.
“Along the way I’ve found it is still a good thing to do.”
Mr Norman said he didn’t just do the stair climb for himself, but to help other people who were participating as well.
“I often help people with self-motivation – if they are struggling up the stairs I encourage them to keep going; I’m there to help others as well.”
Participants in the Eureka Climb challenge raise money through sponsorship and entry fees that go towards the charities Interplast and Whitelion.
Interplast sends medical teams to developing countries to provide life-saving treatment to some of the world’s most desperate people.
Whitelion works with disadvantaged young people to break cycles of physical and drug abuse to improve their futures.
Mr Norman will be taking on the challage of a timed climb and is hoping to beat his personal best time of 11.5 minutes and is quietly confident he could be the fastest climber on the day.
“I think I’m in with a chance but there are some quick people out there,” he said.
The Eureka Climb Challenge will take place on Sunday 13 November, with staggered starts throughout the day.
