Firefighters with the Richmond Fire-Rescue department took part in the 22nd annual “Climb the Wall” event in downtown Vancouver last weekend.
More than 350 participants took part in the 48-storey stair climb at the Sheraton Wall Hotel, hosted by the BC Lung Foundation, to raise funds for the foundation’s Asthma Education Centre.
Richmond Fire-Rescue Fire Chief Jim Wishlove played the bagpipe and lead all the competitors into the event on Feb. 26.
“I’m really fortunate that I get to pipe everyone in before the climb,” said Wishlove, who has taken part in the wall climb since 2018.
“We had one or two years off for the pandemic and it feels great for us to be back in person doing the climb again.”
Wishlove lead a team of seven firefighters in full gear up from the Richmond Fire-Rescue up the 48 floors and described everyone as having a “competitive spirit” during the event.
“The team this year, other than myself, was really vibrant, active and very positive, young people that represented Richmond,” he said.
“I think it speaks to the values in Richmond Fire-Rescue, of teams and community and leadership.”
Richmond Fire-Rescue raised over $2,800 for the foundation.
The fundraiser raised a total of $140,000 this year at the event.
