Damien French

Climbing for CFA Wangaratta

Hi. On September 7th I’ll be climbing 28 floors in 25kg of kit and helping to raise $600,000 to improve support services, fund research, remove stigmas and raise awareness of mental health issues.

Please help me “Step up to fight depression, PTSI and suicide” by sponsoring me below.

I’d just like to include some facts,
– 8.6 Australians die every day by suicide. That’s more than double the road toll.
– 75% of those who take their own life are male.
– An unknown number of Australians attempt suicide every year, with some estimates suggesting this figure may be over 65,000.
– Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians between the ages of 15 and 44.
– Suicide rates in Defence, Emergency services and protective services is elevated compared to other occupations.
– 12% of Australians experience PTSI in their life time.
– PTSI is more prevalent in occupations with higher exposures to trauma, including the defence force, emergency services and protective services.
– For each life lost to suicide, the impacts are felt by up to 135 people including the family, friends, work colleagues and first responders at time of death.

The Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb aims to break down the stigma around mental health and be a leader in the emergency services community in the mental health space.

100% of every dollar donated will go to mental health.

So thank you for taking your time to donate to a worthy cause.

9/11 Memorial

The Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb remembers the 343 Firefighters that lost their lives in the line of duty on 11th September 2001.

My stair climb race bib will include the name and photo of FDNY Firefighter Matthew L Ryan in memory of their sacrifice made on that fateful day. Search and read more about Matthew L Ryan.

So far, I've raised $1,282 of my $1,000 fundraising goal.

Race result

2024$1,282

13:16.90 Donned and started

Start Line Footage!

Crossing the Finish Line

Note: Some of the footage above may not include footage of you due to stream cuts or content changes for operational reasons

Recent donations from Damien’s friends

  • $50
    Angela Broadbent
    one month ago ● Wow, amazing effort Damien, congratulations on completing the stair climb!
  • $50
    Gary Wingrave
    one month ago ● Rip into it mate... Happy day's 👍🏻 😊
  • $50
    Sean Warfe
    one month ago
  • $20
    Heath French
    one month ago ● Good luck brother I’ll try to do it next year with you
  • $432
    Battery Recycling
    one month ago
  • $25
    Dodgshun
    one month ago ● Goodluck mate
  • $25
    Donna Cole
    one month ago ● Go Damien. Well done!!
  • $50
    The Howe Family
    one month ago
  • $150
    Mum & Dad
    one month ago ● Proud of you. xx
  • $25
    Steven Durrington
    one month ago ● Go you good thing !
  • $100
    Emma-Lee
    one month ago
  • $25
    Deb & Fee
    one month ago ● Good luck, head up and get up those stairs.
  • $25
    Ash and Dion
    3 months ago

Previous year’s results

2022$1,109

10:46.330 Donned only