In 2015 Macquarie University and Fire and Rescue NSW began a partnership to launch Firefighters Climb for Motor Neurone Disease, which raises vital funds for MND research at Macquarie University.

Last year’s inaugural event saw 165 firefighters from throughout New South Wales ascend the Sydney Tower Eye wearing their full firefighting kit.

Each firefighter was sponsored by family, friends and the community, and more than $180,000 was raised to support the cause.

Firefighters Climb for MND on Vimeo.

Project founder and NSW Fire and Rescue firefighter Matt Pridham says the 2016 tower run promises to be even bigger. This year there are more than 400 firefighters from around the world coming to take part, each one doing their part and fundraising in their communities.

“It took 18 months to get the event off the ground, but now it has legs of its own and is growing at an incredible rate. It fills me with pride to see my fellow firefighters doing this amazing work in the community. I believe firefighters just want to help with whatever is happening. They want to be there to support their community any way they can,” Matt says.

With one month left until the tower run, the fundraising tally is currently sitting at nearly $221,000 with more than 440 firefighters signed up.

You can sponsor a firefighter or even take part in #1504forMND, a challenge to climb 1504 stairs (the same as the Sydney Tower Eye) over the course of one day to help find the next breakthrough in MND research.