100 Mile Fire Rescue is raising awareness for mental health this month, one push-up at a time.
For most of February two teams of firefighters have been competing individually and as a group to do a set amount of push-ups each day while raising money to support the Canadian Mental Health Association South Cariboo Branch. It's all part of the Canadian Mental Health Association's 2025 Push-Up Challenge taking place Canada-wide from Feb. 11 to Feb. 28.
It was 100 Mile firefighter Isabella Robbins, who has been on the department for just over 10 months, who suggested they try and do it. Robbins said mental health is an important cause to her and over the years she always does her best to take part in challenges like this on her own.
"I do hiking challenges, running challenges, push-up challenges, whatever it is but I could never get any broader interest in it. I figured this was the perfect way to incorporate it because there is a pool for first responders and as soon as I saw that I said 'oh, this has to happen'," Robbins said. "I know there are some guys on the hall that are so competitive they would be right into it."
When Robbins proposed the idea at a meeting, she said 16 hands went up right away as firefighters volunteered to participate. She remarked it wasn't what she was expecting but it was great to see.
Robbins said they split the department into two teams because there is a maximum of 10 per team for the fundraiser, with them doing their best to make it as even as possible. 100 Mile Fire Rescue chief Dave Bissat joked the teams are named Team Great and Team Greater, depending on who ends up raising more.
"I told people it's not really about the number count, it's more about trying to get it done yourself. You can do one or two a day and it still makes a difference, as long as people recognize that we're trying and they can donate," Robbins said. "I love how competitive some of (my colleagues) are. Every training night since we've started they've brought it up saying 'hey man I saw you did this amount.' It's awesome, I think."
Bissat said that when Robbins suggested the idea he thought it would be a good activity for his department. He noted the fire department is always looking for ways to get involved in and benefit the community. With a chuckle he remarked he was happy with the friendly competition the challenge has bred.
"Lots of competition out there. They all kind of keep themselves going," Bissat said. "I will donate myself and make sure the teams have some money in their accounts for the donations."
One of the participating firefighters is Ryan Harris who has been on the hall for the last three years. Harris said while he appreciates the physical nature of the challenge, noting he enjoys staying active, for him the focus on mental health is what's important.
Harris said mental health support can often be lacking in a small town like 100 Mile House and too often people will suffer in silence rather than reaching out. He hopes that by helping raise money and awareness for the CMHA they can help reduce the stigma around mental health.
"There's still a bit of a stigma around 100 Mile House especially about 'pull yourself up by your bootstraps' kind of deal. Almost everybody suffers with or knows somebody who suffers with depression, anxiety etcetera," Harris said. "I really encourage people to reach out to their friends, loved ones and anyone you think may be struggling and make sure they're ok."
When asked how many push-ups he's done so far, Harris said he's done around 700 as of Feb. 19, or about 100 a day, with their end goal being 2,000 in 18 days. Fellow firefighter Jessica Mobs added that they do a different number of push-ups every day, each number corresponding to a fact about mental health. She noted it has also been a great team-building exercise.
"I thought it was a great idea to get the word out there about mental health and come together as a group to challenge ourselves mentally and physically," Mobbs, who has been on the hall for six years, said. "It's not 100 per cent about the money, even if you can get the word out on social media, it is more about mental health for me and team building."
Mobbs said she and many of the other firefighters are keeping track of the number of push-ups they do via the Push for Better App. She remarked wryly that unfortunately, you can't bank push-ups, much to the chagrin of some of the more competitive members of the hall.
"It's nice coming together as a group and pushing each other to strive a little bit harder," Mobbs remarked. "We definitely have a few really strong and keen guys on the hall here."
Robbins said 100 Mile Fire Rescue has set a fundraising goal of $3,000 by the end of the month. As of Wednesday, Feb. 19, she noted they had raised around $670 but added it's good to set your goals higher rather than lower. She is hopeful the community will come together and donate more before the end of the month.
"They can bring the donations here (to the fire hall) and we can send the money in but the best way to do it would be to go to the website 100 Mile Fire Rescue and the District of 100 Mile House has posted on Facebook, click on a team and then pay online," Robbins said.
Robbins encourages anyone able to donate or take part in the challenge to do so before Friday, Feb. 28. If you are incapable of doing push-ups or want to give your arms a break, Robbins explained you can supplement them with pull-ups or squats instead.
"Everything counts, regardless of what you do," she said.
Donations can be made by going online to thepushupchallenge.ca and looking up 100 Mile Fire Rescue.
