MalJan attempts extreme fire suit run

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 he decided that out of the goodness of his heart he wants 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!

 

Fully kitted in the correct firefighter attire, MalJan is instructed to go for a short run to put the suit to the test and find out first hand if this challenge is really as gruelling as it seems to be:

 

After watching that attempt, do you think he'll make it?

 

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