b'Stepping up for mental health.Dale Barker-Harrington, Unitings Fundraising Relations Lead, has represented Uniting in the Firefighter Stair Climb for the past 6 years. Ive had the privilege to represent Lifelinejust want to give up. You have to dig deep and Melbourne and take in this incrediblepull on your inner strength to keep going.challenge 6 times (2 virtually due to Covid).The volunteers are what keeps me going. I still remember putting on the full kit for the firstThey clap and cheer you on, yelling words of time and wondering what I had gotten myself into.encouragement to help motivate you to believeBut now it has become a challenge that I thrive onin yourself and not give up. As with life, if you every time I get the chance to do it again. have that cheer squad behind you, its much Reflecting on the climb, I realise how Lifelineeasier to keep going. Melbourne fits so well as a charity recipient.As you ascend the stairs, you battle against Not only is it clear how essential Lifeline is as ayourself and your mind to keep going, not give up support service for professional firefighters andand not let the weight of your burdens get in the emergency service workers, but the climb itselfway of reaching your goal. Its the people around is a battle against your mind and body to reachyou, your cheer squad, that gets you there as the top, and has many parallels to mental healthwithout this you can feel alone and without hope.challenges we all face every day. Reaching the top and using that last burst of The 25kg kit represents the weight of the burdensenergy to run across that finish line is one of the we carry on our backs as we journey through life.most satisfying and greatest accomplishments The climb is tough and keeps getting tougher asof my life. Knowing I had not only taken on, but you ascend the spiral staircase. As you walk upconquered my own demons and the constant those stairs, you start getting tired, hot, and justvoices of doubt that kept telling me I cant dowant to stop. Each time you do, its harder to getit, is the most amazing feeling.going again and many times you feel alone and Sign up for the virtual stair climb.We are thrilled that Lifeline Melbourne has beenin Australia. The overall goal of the Virtual Stair selected as a beneficiary for the 9th consecutiveClimb is to climb 1,000,000 steps together for year in 2025. This year, the event is hoping tomental health awareness. raise $1,000,000, which would see $400,000Whether its your staircase at home or the office, donated to Unitings Lifeline Melbourne service.steps in a local park, or even a step stool in your Although the physical Stair Climb event is onlylounge room, we encourage you to take on the for firefighters and emergency services workers,challenge and step up for mental health.you and your loved ones can participate in theTo register your interest for the Virtual Stair Virtual Stair Climb challenge. Climb, visit firefighterclimb.org.au/sign-up In 2023, 3,214 people lost their lives to suicideor email [email protected] Newsletter Autumn 2025 5'