FOR a small town, Denman boasts a big heart.
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And, that's certainly evident among the crew at the local Fire and Rescue NSW station.
Seven of them - Logan McKenzie, Amon Burkill, Steve Kendall, Richard Wilkins, Mal Kendall, Laani Wright and Roxley Duggan - will participate in the Firies Climb for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) on Saturday, November 9.
They'll join hundreds of colleagues, carrying an additional 20kg of gear, to ascend 98 floors - which equates to 1504 steps - of the Sydney Tower Eye to raise money in the hope of eradicating MND.
Since the inception of the "climb", it's amassed more than $2 million for the Macquarie University Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research, the largest centre in Australia.
Denman Fire and Rescue NSW, itself, has contributed between $15,000 and $20,000 over the past handful of years.
Now, retained firefighter (RFF) McKenzie is gearing up for his fifth assault - and leading the station's biggest representation at the event.
"It's a good mix," he said.
"Most of this team has done it before, with the exception of debutants Laani and Steve, while Amon's only missed one climb.
"In fact, it was RFF Burkill who introduced me to the Firies Climb for Motor Neurone Disease.
"He heard about it and put it to the guys at the station.
"Even though I'd just started [at Denman], I decided to give it a go.
"I'm addicted to them now.
"I've also tackled the Melbourne one three times and New Zealand once.
"All have their own challenges - but nothing's more difficult than dealing with MND.
"Each day in Australia, at least two people die from MND and another two are diagnosed with MND.
"More alarmingly, the death rate for MND in the country has risen 250 per cent in the past few years.
"Unfortunately, there is no known treatment or cure.
"But, we're all happy to help such a worthy charity."
The event "veteran" admitted the "leg burn" was the toughest part of the climb.
"It gets you every time," RFF McKenzie said.
"However, you set personal goals - and try to challenge yourself each year.
"It will be good to have another six firefighters from the station on deck [in 2019].
"We'll have someone to compete against, so there's a bit of banter around the place.
"It sets the bar for fitness, too."
While everyone is encouraged to raise $1504 individually - a dollar for every step, Denman Fire and Rescue NSW is also involved in the biggest raffle in the history of the Firies Climb for Motor Neurone Disease.
"Denman and a few other stations in the west of the state are selling tickets for it," RFF Burkill said.
"They are $20 each - and the aim is to sell 5000.
"If we can achieve that, $75,000 will go towards the Macquarie University Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research."
