Get this firefighter some BOOTS … fast!

For the last six months, I've been training as a VOLUNTEER WILDFIRE FIRE-FIGHTER. Yup, that's right - you know those mountain blazes that you hear about all through summer? Well, THIS summer, this lil friend of yours is gonna be one of the crazy people out there beating those fires back at all hours of the day and night!

One snag: I need a pair of SUPER-DUPER FIRE-RESISTANT FIRE-FIGHTING BOOTS! (A requirement being applied with a bit more strictness this year, so we weren't made clearly aware of it up front. Eep.)

But! I'm not alone! So I'm making an appeal to you friendly folks that have had a "wow, you're doing whatnow?!" or a "ohmygoodness that's so cool, well done!" -- would you consider helping me get out onto the fireline?

My own sweat that's in the game since April:

• Attending about 10 different training hikes, 'scenarios' and lectures (some hikes/scenarios even happening 6-11pm at night!)
• Attending a full weekend Basic Wildfire Suppression course (and getting the top mark in the test we had to complete at the end - what a nerd!)
• Completing (and passing, woot!) 7 different theory, practical skills and physical fitness tests
• Buying my PPE (that's the helmet, gloves, flashhood, goggles and sexy (not!!) pants and shirt that will protect me from the heat, smoke and flames) and various other items I need like a brighter headlamp

All that's left to get me kitted out: THE BOOTS!

If you'd prefer to make a direct bank transfer contributions: Capitec Acc 1360629945 | Branch 470010 (this is actually better for me as it bypasses this platform's payment complications)

Take a look at https://twitter.com/vwsfires/ or http://vws.org.za to see what I've gotten myself into :)