Bianca Hurle

Climbing for CFA Merton

This year’s firefighter stair climb is deeply personal for me. It takes me back to the Longwood Fires, my first season as a Crew Leader and Merton’s 1st Lieutenant, alongside my eldest son’s very first season as a CFA volunteer.

I witnessed firsthand the intensity and challenges faced by our team members of not knowing whether they would return to a home that survived, after being out and defending their community.

As a Mum and a fire fighter I made the call no parent wants to make, sending my 16-year-old son and our dog away to safety, separating our family in the middle of a crisis. One son having the fear and uncertainty of not knowing whether he would have a home, to come home to, or if his Mum and brother would remain safe, and another son out on the truck with me, placing himself at risk and protecting his community.

During these fires I stood with crews heading to the fire line, all of us carrying that same unspoken question, many of us on trucks not just with our fellow community members, but with our sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, uncles, aunties etc.

That experience never leaves you, the pressure, the fear, the relief, and everything in between. It’s why this climb matters.

I’m also climbing for cancer. My Dad having undergone treatment for prostate cancer, and my stepmum is still in the fight with ovarian cancer and its complications. Like emergency services, cancer doesn’t just affect one person, it impacts entire families.

Participating in the stair climb is my way of supporting the mental health of all emergency service personnel who continue to show up for our community, often at great personal risk. It’s a tangible way to honor the sacrifices made and raise awareness for the mental health challenges faced by those on the front lines and their families. together, we can foster resilience and support for those who protect us.

I climb to honour both battles, the visible and the invisible. To support the mental health of our emergency service personnel and their families, and to help raise funds for those facing cancer.

Because showing up for others matters, and none of us should have to face these fights alone.

So far, I've raised $7,015 of my $1,000 fundraising goal.

Recent donations from Bianca’s friends

  • $50
    Ewen Huggins
    4 days ago ● Good on you. Really great to support these causes.
  • $25
    Kate Sanders
    8 days ago ● You are one incredibly strong and inspiring girl! 💪❤️ An important cause and I’m proud of your strength, determination and big heart. Go smash it! 🔥👏

    Kate, thank you 🙏🏻 not just for the donation but your beautiful encouragement.

  • $25
    Cathie Smith
    one month ago ● I am constantly in awe of your guts and determination! One strong Mumma!
  • $100
    Glenn
    one month ago

    Thank you 🙏🏻 Glenn, very much appreciated.

  • $120
    Pam and Brian Lavery
    one month ago ● We haven't met you yet Bianca but we are so impressed by your resolve and courage. You go for it. Best wishes. Pam and Brian Lavery

    Thank you 🙏🏻 Pam and Brian, hope we get the chance to meet some day. Appreciate your support and kind words

  • $50
    Cassie Van Nes
    one month ago ● You go girl! 👩🏻‍🚒 🚒

    Thank you my friend 🙏🏻🙏🏻

  • $100
    Graham Kipping
    2 months ago

    Much appreciated Graham, see you soon

  • $100
    Marg and Jim Sayers
    2 months ago ● Go Bianca!!!

    Thank you so much Jim and Marg, hope to see you both soon.

  • $100
    Marg & Pat FitzGerald
    2 months ago ● Well done Bianca!

    Thank you 🙏🏻 Pat and Marg for your support.

  • $50
    Peter and Annette Lewis
    2 months ago ● Good luck

    Peter and Annette, thank you 🙏🏻 for your support.

  • $100
    Ben & Emma
    2 months ago ● Good Luck!

    Ben and Emma, thank you 🙏🏻

  • $200
    Charlie Gove
    2 months ago

    Charlie that is very generous and truly appreciated 🙏🏻

  • $25
    Bree Handley
    2 months ago ● Good on you Bi! My sympathies to your quads and glutes 🙈

    They are loving it 😉 so far. Thanks Breeze.

  • $25
    Terri
    2 months ago

    Thanks 🙏🏻 Tez, much appreciated 🥰

  • $25
    Susan Griffin
    2 months ago ● You're amazing Bianca! Thank you, for all that you, and your fellow firefighters and first responders do, to keep us all safe! Good Luck!

    Thank you Susan 🙏🏻

  • $50
    Mark E
    2 months ago ● Well done Bianca!!

    Truly appreciated thank you 🙏🏻 Mark.

  • $50
    MargieA
    2 months ago ● Dear Bi, keep giving

    Thank you Margie 🙏🏻

  • $50
    C Ward
    2 months ago ● Good luck in reaching all your goals.

    Truly appreciated thank you 🙏🏻

  • $50
    Zac Ashman
    2 months ago ● Good luck! I'm sure you will smash it!

    Thanks Zac, hopefully 😉 appreciate it buddy.

  • $50
    Jules and Paul
    2 months ago ● Go get 'em B!! Proud of you xx

    Thank you so much Jules and Paul truly appreciated.

  • $50
    Phil Morrow
    2 months ago ● One step a time - just hell fast this time !!! Love your work ❤️

    So very appreciated Dad.

  • $50
    Morag Huggins
    2 months ago ● Go well my friend!

    Thank you my friend.

  • $100
    Ross Harlock
    2 months ago ● Great effort Bianca, go for it!

    Ross thank you so very much for not only your support and very much appreciated donation, but for your patience kindness and for always being available to share your knowledge. Lucky to have you as my captain.

  • $100
    Catriona Wilson
    2 months ago ● Congratulations on being selected to take part in the climb. We are very happy to support and donate as they are such important causes. Wishing you all the best in the lead up to the event. Love Cat, James, Liam and Hayley xxx

    Thank you Cat, James, Liam and Hayley, I truly appreciate the donation and all the support. Thank you 🙏🏻

  • $100
    Gerard Bowshall
    2 months ago ● An excellent cause and right behind you B.

    Truly appreciated Gerard. Thank you for your generous donation ❤️🐝

  • $50
    Leonie Griffin
    2 months ago ● Proud to support you! 💕

    Truly appreciated, thank you 🙏🏻

  • $25
    Ty Sheeran
    2 months ago

    Oh buddy thank you.

  • $50
    Morag Huggins
    2 months ago ● Thankyou Bianca for the commitment you made for our community in January. And now thankyou again for taking on this challenge to support the wider community.

    Thank you 🙏🏻 my friend.