You could hear the determination in Captain Paul Collins' voice as he talks about a challenge he and other members of Fire and Rescue NSW 477 Ulladulla are about the take on.
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The respected firefighting team, for the past few months, have been training in preparation hard to climb the Sydney Tower Eye's stairs to raise funds for motor neurone disease (MND) research.
The Saturday, November 9 challenge is now days away and Captain Collins said his crew was determined to get the job done.
He knows the team members will draw strength from each other.
"We will support each other and if we struggle we will do things like offer to carry their gear if needed," he said.
The team, at the November 9 event, will be led up the 1504 steps, while wearing more than 20 kilograms of firefighting gear by Captain Collins.
Alongside him will be first-timers Anthony Walsh and Shannon Bartley as well as two-climb veteran Aaron Owers and Nathan Garrett, who climbed last year.
The lads, when it comes to training, have been doing the hard yards.
They train at the Ulladulla Sea Pool stairs a few days a week and go up them 17 times which is a massive feat in itself.
Captain Collins said the health benefits from the training have been tremendous.
"I feel a lot better within myself from the training and have lost about 10 kilograms," he said.
He said physically the team would be up for it.
"It's going to be a big mental challenge," he said.
"This is going to be the first time for some of us and so we don't know what to expect."
He thinks heat stress, as they will be carrying their pack and wearing firefighting gear in a small spot, will test them but won't stop them.
"I know I will do it," he said.
"I may not be the fastest one there but I will do it.
"There will be only one way to go on the day and that is up."
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Captain Collins said he was impressed with the team's fundraising efforts and thinks the $20 000 mark is achievable.
The team had wanted to make $10 000 and thanks to great support from the community they are looking to double their original target.
While raising money and awareness by completing the gruelling climb for MND research the firefighters are running for Mollymook woman Jo Woodward and husband Max.
Jo suffers from the condition which affects her speech, swallowing and breathing.
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The team leader added Anthony Walsh's suggestion to hold a golf day was a great idea.
Captain Collins said the task had brought the group closer together.
"There has been a spike in morale," he said.
"I think it has made us work better as a team."
To donate to Ulladulla's Finest visit: https://fundraise.firiesclimbformnd.org.au/page/UlladullasFinest0.