TAMWORTH firefighter Jason Lee has stared down this challenge before.
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Sometimes he wonders why he is doing it all again.
But it is just in a firefighter's DNA to help others.
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Mr Lee and some of his fellow firies have had their final training session before they take on the 1504 stair challenge in the annual Sydney Tower Motor Neurone Disease (MND) challenge.
Mr Lee said the Tamworth firefighters have raised close to $7000 for the cause through a range of events, including a strongman competition at ClubSynergy.
This is the second year Mr Lee has taken on the climb, while the task is just as daunting, the community support has almost doubled.
With a lot more local businesses coming on board despite trying economic conditions in the drought, the Tamworth crew have almost doubled last year's tally.
"We just wanted to help out," Mr Lee said.
"As firefighters, we just want to help the community.
"Our area is a bit of a hot-spot for [MND].
"And any one can get hit with it, old, young or fit so it hits pretty close to home."
The climb itself is no easy feat with 1504 stairs to climb while wearing 22 kilos of structural firefighting gear.
Tamworth's firefighters will hit the steps this Saturday.
MND is a progressive, terminal neurological disease which affects the nerve cells controlling the muscles that enable us to move, speak, breathe and swallow, causing them the degenerate and die.
Every dollar raised will directly support research at the Macquarie University MND Research Centre. Donations can be made online.