The 12th Annual Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb is being held tomorrow, Saturday 6 September 2025.
Chris May OAM is one of around 1,000 emergency service personnel taking on the challenge of climbing 28 floors of the Crown Metropol building to raise vital funds for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation, the 000 Foundation and Lifeline.
This will be his fifth and final year stepping up to the challenge.
Chris' inspiration for raising $18,000 this year, to total $100,000 raised over his climbing career, hits very close to home.
“I had to use Lifeline as a caller. It doesn’t matter what walk of life you come from, sometimes the bucket just gets filled up and you need someone to talk to," he said.
Having served in the Australian army for 10 years, and then as a career and volunteer firefighter for the last eight, he has experienced the mental health toll that first responders experience in protecting their community.
“I think it’s a good way to give back, and make sure the next person gets help - and the next person, and the next person."
He compares the gruelling climb, where competitors don 25kg of firefighting gear, to a mental health battle.
“The first five floors seem like you can challenge it by yourself. And then, until around floor 15, you think ‘I can’t do this, it’s too much of an uphill battle'," he said.
"Surrounded by the right people, and with help, you keep on going."
“You hit floor 20, and you see the people around you start rallying around you."
"To a massive applause at the top, you cross the finish line realising that you’ve done it."
The Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation, 000 Foundation and Lifeline evenly share 100% of donations made to the event, which has reached the collective goal of $1 million for the three beneficiaries this year. These charities help everyday Australians, but were selected as they fund research and crisis support for mental health and cancer, which first responders experience at a higher rate.
With a baby on the way and a child under two, Chris will be hanging up the boots after tomorrow.
“The event is so sought after that it sells out faster than Taylor Swift tickets. To give someone else the opportunity to give back is a big part of it."
To support the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb, visit https://www.firefighterclimb.org.au
