Firefighters stripped down and took to the dance floor for an annual fundraiser supporting Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation and kids recovering from severe burn injuries.
The annual Perth Firefighters Calendar has raised more than $1.7 million for the PCHF since 2008.
Funds raised this year will support research into the long-term physical and mental health impacts of burns, led by Professor Fiona Wood.
The fireys involved showed off their dance moves during a rehearsal at a Balcatta dance studio on Friday ahead of an official launch party at The Court next Friday night.
Firefighter Kate Wade said raising money for the burns unit had been an “incredibly humbling experience”.
“We’re just so privileged to have our health, fitness and wellness and to be able to use it in such a positive sense, it’s been a lot of fun and hopefully we continue to raise a bunch of money,” she said.
“A lot of the guys and girls in the calendar have children, nieces, nephews, we just think if anything happened to them what incredible facilities they have in the worst-case scenario if they were involved in an accident that is a lot of the reason why we are doing it.”
One family that will benefit from the fundraiser is Justin Horton and his four-year-old daughter Hailey who suffered severe burns following an accident in the kitchen when she was two-years-old.
Little Hailey’s injuries resulted in a brain injury and her chances of regaining movement seemed slim.
Hailey spent 10 weeks in the Paediatric Critical Care unit, and her dad described her progress over the past year as “mind-blowing”.
Despite her hopeful progress, The Wiggles fan still relies on a wheelchair and walking frame to move around.
To support her ongoing recovery, she wears compression garments and receives laser therapy every six to eight weeks to treat her scar tissue.
Next week, she will undergo reconstructive burn surgery aimed at improving both the function and appearance of her scars.
A firefighter with 15 years of experience, Ms Wade said meeting “beautiful” Hailey was a “lovely experience”.
“It’s her birthday tomorrow so we got her a gift and she went for a ride on a truck we use for a prop, it was a humbling reminder of why we are doing this,” she said.
“Any challenges we might face in the short term is nothing compared to what children like Hailey and the other patients will continue to go through well past their physical rehab and ongoing effects from what they’ve been exposed to.”
This year’s calendar will be available from November 18 for just $15.
It can be bought from MuzzBuzz stores, IKEA, Murray Street Mall and the PCHF gift shop.
Tickets to the launch party can be bought here.
https://thewest.com.au/news/charity/firefighter-calendar-for-a-great-cause-supporting-perth-childrens-hospital-foundation-c-16682791
