Firefighters to climb the equivalent height of Mount Everest without leaving Cork - for charity

Firefighters in Cork city and county are to hit new heights — with the world’s highest mountain in their plans.

Their mission is to climb the equivalent height of Mount Everest — without leaving Cork.

They aim to raise funds so more than 40 sick children can go on a trip of a lifetime at Euro Disney in Paris.

The beneficial charity is the Cork City Hospitals’ Children’s Club which arranges a series of events for sick children yearly.

The fire crews, meanwhile, will climb ladders until they have reached the magical 29,000ft-plus at 22 different locations in the city and county where there are fire stations.

Dora and Minnie Mouse with Robbie, Aidan and their dad Steven O’Brien, Cork City Fire Service. Picture: Jim Coughlan

The feat will be undertaken over the September 2-4 weekend.

It will culminate with a ladder climb at the city library in Grand Parade at about 4pm.

Anglesea St station officer Ger Ryan said, at any time, there would be 15 to 20 firefighters climbing at the various locations.

Speaking at the event launch at Cork University Hospital yesterday, Mr Ryan said gardaí and ambulance personnel would be helping to collect money at the different venues.

“We will be selling a unique collection of 2,000 tie-pins from the fire brigade, ambulance and gardaí as part of the fundraiser.

“There will also be bucket collections and sponsorship cards. We also will have a ifundraise.ie account called climbing for sick kids,” the senior fire officer said.

John Looney, chairman of the Cork City Hospitals’ Children’s Club, said he was delighted the fire officers had offered to help them.

Steven O’Brien, John Mallone and Ger Dolan, Cork City Fire Service members, who will be climbing in the event. Picture: Jim Coughlan

“They approached us because they realise it’s one of the best charities around and they know what we do. Every year we take 57 children, their carers, doctors, and nurses to Euro Disney.

“We also take another 250 children to see Santa at Fota House every Christmas and send seven families of terminally ill children away for weekend breaks,” Mr Looney said.

It’s just short of €1,000 to send a sick child to Euro Disney and Mr Ryan said he was hoping firefighters would collect enough from the fundraising climb to send at least 40.

Present at the launch was Janice Byrne and her daughter Megan, 6, who suffers from a number of health issues and has undergone 17 operations.

“We went out to Euro Disney last year and it was absolutely brilliant. The children’s charity is wonderful and it’s great the fire brigade are helping out,” Janice said.