A TEAM of firefighters from Basingstoke will be taking part in an incredible climbing challenge to raise money for charity in memory of a colleague who died.

Firefighters from White Watch Basingstoke will climb the drill tower at the Basingstoke station for 24 hours nonstop to the equivalent height of Mount Everest, which is 8,840m.

To add to the challenge, the group will be completing the climb wearing full firefighting clothing including boots, helmets and breathing apparatus, which weighs more than 30kgs.

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The team, who will raise money for Kidney Cancer UK and The Fire Fighters Charity, decided to take on the challenge in memory of their colleague, watch manager Aaron Jepp, who died of kidney cancer.

Money raised will be split between Kidney Cancer UK and The Fire Fighters Charity, which offers specialist, lifelong support for members of the UK fire service community.

However, in an unfortunate twist of fate, one of the team meant to be taking part has had to pull out after being injured while on duty attending an incident and is now being supported by The Fire Fighters Charity himself.

The team, who will still be on duty throughout the challenge, will start at 12noon on Friday, September 8 and plan to complete the gruelling mission 24-hours later during Basingstoke Fire Station’s public open day.

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They will attempt to climb the final 1,000 metres of the summit using their breathing apparatus, which will replicate the conditions at the peak of Mount Everest.

Members of the public will be able to watch the team complete the mission at the station’s open day on Saturday, September 9, which runs from 11am to 4pm.

The open day also includes fun activities for the family with on-duty firefighters showcasing their skills with rescue demonstrations.

A spokesperson for the team said: “There will be four main people but others will step in to help as and when they need to. They will be climbing the tower 25 times per hour, which equates to seven ascents every 15 minutes, and 8,849m in total, while wearing full firefighting kit.”

The team has so far raised more than £600, but is hoping the Basingstoke community will get behind them to take the total to £2,000.

To donate visit Fundraiser - Stair Climb to Everest (peoplesfundraising.com)