Fire volunteer and Extra Financial owner Mark Unwin is also involved in fighting issues that ignite depression
When he was a boy, like many kids, Extra Financial owner Mark Unwin loved seeing firemen in action and fire trucks with their lights flashing and sirens blaring.
Unwin is currently an operational member at Hoppers Crossing in Melbourne West. Apart from being on call for emergencies and assistance requests, he engages in community activities such as teaching kindergartens about fire safety and raising funds for various charities.
“Being involved in the fire brigade provides me with an opportunity to work with some amazing people from so many different walks of life,” Unwin says. “Our combined goal is to give back to the community that has provided for us.”
On 7 September 2019, Unwin will join other firefighters to step up for mental health in the 6th Annual Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb. The event aims to raise $700,000 to improve support services and fund research on issues such as depression, post-traumatic stress injury and suicide, especially within the emergency services and defence community.
“The fire brigade is a massive extended family which also provides excellent support services; however, some people are still reluctant to take advantage of them when required,” Unwin says. “With awareness being raised a lot more, hopefully we can further the assistance to those in need.”
