If you can't stand the heat, don't run in a fire suit
Mark Basson has been involved in the EMS industry for almost 10 years, where he started out as a volunteer firefighter, then volunteering on ambulances to get medical experience. However, his passion for saving lives has lead him to taking on a mammoth task in hopes of making his dream of becoming an Advance Life Support Paramedic and Rescue specialist a reality.
In an effort to raise funds towards his tuition for a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree in Emergency Medical Care at the Durban University of Technology, Mark has taken on the challenge of running 10km in full firefighter gear weighing almost 30kg!
The gear that Mark will be wearing for the 10km challenge include:
Helmet - 1.5kg
Bunker jacket - 2kg
Bunker pants - 2kg
Boots - 2kg each
SCBA - 20kg
After hearing what it is that Mark is going to attempt to do, the wheels in Rian's head started turning and decides to send MalJan to Durban to do a recce of the route before the 23 August to ensure Mark's 10km Bunker Challenge is a success!
MalJan #10kmBunkerChallengeHe's in a hot and sunny Durban, suited up and ready to take on Mark's 10km Bunker Challenge in hopes of helping Mark complete his race happening on Sunday - you can do it MalJan!
Posted by The Complimentary Breakfast on Wednesday, August 19, 2015
After not even getting half way, MalJan shares some valuable advice with the man he deems to be crazy to attempt something like this:
About the 10km Bunker Challenge
On the 23 August 2015 Mark Basson will be attempting to run 10km in full firefighting bunker gear including SCBA in a fundraising event. All funds raised will be put towards assisting Mark and his family as he aims to take on 4 years full time study for BHSc ETC at DUT.
Mark says that "it’s not the cost of the annual tuition fees (under R30k pa) that is the biggest challenge, but the living expenses of R150k per year (escalate annually) as it is a full time course."
If you would like to get involved and help Mark live his dream, you can make a donation to the following bank account:
Banking Details:
Mark Basson
FNB
Acc no: 62346588421
Branch: 221116
Reference: Dream Fund
Here's the route that Mark will be running in an effort to complete his #10kmBunkerChallenge!
Start and finish : Morningside Primary School, North Ridge Road.
UPDATE
Huge congrats to Mark for completing the 10km Bunker Challenge on Sunday!
What challenge!!!! 10km crushed in full fire fear. @MalJan1 @comp_breakfast @ECRBreakfast pic.twitter.com/0Fz9ugyOjc
— Mark Basson (@rescuemedic29) August 23, 2015