Burnaby firefighters were among the top fundraisers for the B.C. Lung Association's annual Climb the Wall: The Stairclimb for Clean Air event, raising almost $4,000 for the cause.

"It's a great event, which is why our team comes back every year. I'm very proud of them and of my son Kevin, who has begun to take part every year as well," said Brad Maars, captain of the Burnaby firefighter climb team.

Maars and his team joined participants Sunday morning to make the 48-storey climb to the top of the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre.

Since it began 11 years ago, the annual event has raised more than $1.4 million in support of lung health and air quality research.

This year's event has already raised $110,000 and that number is expected to grow during post-event fundraising, which continues until April 5.

Maars, who has a personal connection to the cause, said the event deserves more attention and he'll do his best to help.

"My father suffered from tuberculosis years ago and was grateful for the help he received from the Lung Association. And today I see more and more people affected by lung disease on the job," he said. "My firefighter colleagues and I are doing what we can to help. We'll be back again next year."

For more information on the event or to make a donation, visit www.stairclimb.ca or call the association at 1-800-665-LUNG (5864).