Carl Marsh dreamt of being a firefighter most of his life, but when he tragically lost his brother in a house fire, he vowed to make those dreams a reality.
He joined South Wales Fire and Rescue Service over two years ago and has supported us ever since, having seen the help we’ve offered some of his colleagues and, importantly, knowing the work we do in promoting mental wellbeing – something very close to his heart.
Carl, 38, is now preparing to climb to Everest Base Camp in aid of us and two other charities in March and says it’s an opportunity to not only raise vital funds, but also promote the wellbeing benefits of being outdoors.
“I was in the prison service prior to joining the fire service, but being a firefighter is what I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid… for one reason or another, I never applied before,” says Carl.
“Sadly, four years ago, I lost my brother in a house fire, and that’s when I applied to join the South Wales Fire & Rescue Service to follow my dreams and make my brother proud… When I lost my brother, it put things into perspective. I realised that life really is short and you need to take those chances.
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Carl’s brother (pictured) tragically died in a house fire
“I was lucky that he left me the gift of a life in the sense of just living your life how you want to, doing what you want when you want to. I’d always put things off before, I’d say ‘one day’, but after that happened I thought, ‘well I might not be here next year so why not do it now’. Now I take those opportunities when they come.”
Carl says a huge coping mechanism for him after losing his brother was escaping into the mountains close to where he lives to enjoy some alone time – and it sparked his interest in climbing Everest.
“I like to get up into the mountains when I can, for my own sanity to be honest. It gets me away for a few hours from city life and what not,” he adds.
“There’s so many benefits of getting outside. I even started a walking group in Covid as a break for friends and family. There were so many people that came out of the woodwork. One look on social media you’d think they had everything going for them, but on the walks they’d tell you everything’s upside down and inside out.
“I’ve never been one for sitting in a pub and chatting over a pint, when you’re sat across a table making constant eye contact with someone it can be difficult to really feel comfortable, whereas when you’re out on these walks you can relax – you’re not facing someone, you’re walking side by side, and there’s no stigma.”
Carl has chosen to support us with his Everest climb alongside Velindre Cancer Centre and The Stroke Association. He chose us as a tribute to his brother, but also knowing we’re there for him and his colleagues for life.
“There’s a few people on my last Watch that have benefitted from the charity’s services, and I considered it myself for a while,” says Carl.
“I often think ‘there’s someone going through a lot worse’ which has maybe stopped me reaching out, but I know it shouldn’t really. It’s really reassuring knowing I can in the future.”
Having seen the all-round support and resources we have available around mental wellbeing, he hopes to promote the work we do with the wider public, as well as within the fire service, to highlight the importance of reaching out for support as early as possible.
Carl chose to support Velindre Cancer Charity as a thank you for the support it offered his aunty and step-mum during battles with cancer, and The Stroke Association as a thank you for the support it offered his dad following a stroke.
Carl will set off for his Base Camp challenge on 22 March. To donate to his fundraiser, click here.