The Olds Fire Department (OFD) raised the second-highest amount of money during the Firefighter Stair Climb challenge.
On May 7, about 500 firefighters from across North America climbed up the 1,204 stairs of The Bow building in Calgary while wearing full firefighter gear, which weighs about 45 pounds.
The Bow building is said to be among Western Canada's tallest buildings and the highest-elevation stair climb in the world.
The third annual event is a fundraiser for Wellspring Calgary. It helps people and their families battling cancer, which is often an occupational hazard for firefighters.
OFD participants raised $14,845, second highest among participating departments on the day of the climb.
ìAnd some donations were still rolling in,î says Noel D'arcy, a spokesman for OFD participants.
As of May 7, a total of $335,000 had been raised by all participants. Donations are being accepted until May 31.
D'arcy is pleased with the way it went for local firefighters.
ìIt went extremely well,î he says. ìEveryone finished in the 14-minute to 25-minute range. The colder temperature outside this year made it just a little bit more tolerable inside the stairs but not by much.î
The high temperature in Calgary that day was 11 C.
D'arcy says all OFD stair climb participants were ìin good spirits afterwards.î
ìWe look forward to next year's climb,î he says.
"The colder temperature outside this year made it just a little bit more tolerable inside the stairs but not by much."NOEL D'ARCYSPOKESMAN FOR OFD STAIR CLIMBERS
