Benalla CFA to hit the heights in Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb

By Sharlene Baldo

Jun 6, 2025

Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb participants Nick Panuccio, Kallan Horton and Riley Mayes will be representing Benalla. Photo by Contributed

Benalla CFA members are preparing to swap firefighting for a different challenge: conquering 28 floors to support a good cause.

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On Saturday, September 6, firefighters, volunteers and emergency service personnel from across Australia, and overseas, will race up 28 floors of the Crown Metropol to raise funds for cancer research and crisis support.

The Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb aims to raise $1 million for Lifeline, Peter MacCullum Cancer Foundation and 000 Foundation to improve support services, fund research, remove stigma and raise awareness of cancer and mental health issues.

Equipped with breathing apparatus and up to 25kg of turnout gear, competitors will race to the top to claim first place out of the entire cohort.

And for those wearing the mask, they must make it up before they run out of air.

The event’s popularity has soared, with participant numbers jumping from 750 to 1000, raising the stakes and amplifying the challenge.

And from Benalla, CFA firefighters Kallan Horton, Riley Mayes and Nick Panuccio will be battling this year’s stair climb to represent their town and contribute.

Benalla firefighters Nick Panuccio, Riley Mayes and Kallan Horton. Photo by Contributed

This event will mark four years of stair climbing for previous participant Mr Panuccio, while Mr Mayes and Mr Horton will be joining in for the first time.

To prepare for the strenuous feat, the trio have been hitting the gym, going all out in sports training and walking around town with their furry companions.

Mr Horton said that despite being sidelined in previous years, he was now ready to give it his all.

“I’ve wanted to do it for a few years, but for me, it was a matter of my body not letting me until now from an accident at work a few years ago,” Mr Horton said.

“(We’re feeling) nervous, honoured, excited — all of the above.”

“All the money goes towards good causes,” Mr Panuccio said.

“We’ve all been touched by someone who has cancer, or who struggles with mental health.”

“And it’s another one that goes towards those that actually help the people that are helping their communities too,” Mr Horton said.

“So, a lot of the costs supports us and a lot of the research that they’re doing, Peter Mac, towards cancer research as well, helps firefighters understand what can happen to our body with the exposure that we do get from some of the events we go to.”