Last year a neighbouring fire station held a fundraising challenge to climb Mount Everest by means of a fire brigade ladder and this in turn inspired those at E40 Sidcup Blue Watch to follow suit with a slightly different twist - to climb it but on gymnasium air steppers!

This all seemed a good idea, until we did the maths! It equates to doing 34,849 steps to get to the top.

After we picked ourselves up, the work began. Firstly,what charity? We wanted it local and aimed for children's benefit, especially as we held a fun day last year and raised money for Marjorie McClure Specialist School in Chislehurst.

Seeing what joy this money brought to the kids was humbling. So, with this in mind it was an obvious choice for us - Demelza.

It was perfect. We have found that once local businesses knew who we were raising for their support and donations came thick and fast.

This has helped us greatly so thanks to them all. So full steam ahead to Saturday, September 28 from 10.30 hours at Intu Bromley (formally The Glades) when we and Bromley Blue Watch supported by fellow firefighters from all the other surrounding stations will be taking it in turn to step to the top of Mount Everest, which will take around five hours.

Public support on the day is vital so hope to see you all there and bring some blister plasters please!

For full information go to www.airstepchallenge.wix.com/glades and donations to Demelza can be made at www.justgiving.com/sidcupbluewatch

Based on information supplied by Helen Francis.