Dozens of Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) personnel from across the state will descend on Jindabyne, in the Snowy Mountains, next week to raise vital funds for kids with burn injuries.
The annual fundraising event by the FRNSW volunteer group, ‘Beat the Burn’, runs from 17-21 February.
FRNSW staff and families
FRNSW staff and their families will tackle sporting challenges such as running
In its 20th anniversary year, FRNSW staff and their families will tackle sporting challenges such as running, road cycling, mountain bike riding, hiking, and paddling.
Since 2006, Beat the Burn has raised over $1.5 million for the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation (SCHF), which allocates funds to the Burns Unit at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, FRNSW’s official number ‘002’ Station.
Fire safety advice
Throughout the week, firefighters will conduct safety and school visits to provide locals with crucial fire safety advice.
The week will culminate on Thursday, 20 February, at a fundraising evening from 5 pm at Lake Jindabyne Hotel. Locals are encouraged to join the firefighters for a night of fun that will include the FRNSW Band, door and raffle prizes, and fire safety tips.
Beat the Burn fundraisers
Quotes attributable to FRNSW Commissioner, Jeremy Fewtrell: "Our Beat the Burn fundraisers will run, ride, and swim hundreds of kilometres throughout the week to raise funds for kids who are doing it tough."
Jeremy Fewtrell adds, "They will be putting themselves outside their comfort zones, knowing that any discomfort is nothing compared to what the kids at our ‘002’ station endure."
Fundraising event
Quotes attributable to Station Officer, Scott Hanley: "This is a special event for us, as it marks 20 years of supporting the little ‘warriors’ at the Burns Unit. The first fundraising event involved just five firefighters who rode their bikes from Sydney to Wagga Wagga over four days and raised $7,000."
Functional and cosmetic outcomes across NSW
Scott Hanley adds: "Fast forward 20 years and these same firefighters, alongside many more, have raised more than $1.5 million, providing treatment, equipment and specialists for kids who have experienced burns injuries."
He continues, "Importantly, these funds are utilized across the entire state, with regional step-down clinics providing care to kids in regional and rural areas. We’re proud that 20 years on, we’re still enhancing the functional and cosmetic outcomes for kids across NSW."