The Pella Fire Department was among the top fundraisers at the annual Fight for Air Climb in Des Moines.

Fire Chief Doug Van Gorkom tells KNIA/KRLS News they sent three teams and raised a total of $6651, which was best among firefighters and 5th overall through all teams.

Van Gorkom says he’s thankful for the support of the Pella community.

“They’re the ones that came up with the funds for us,” Van Gorkom says. “We asked for donations, and came up with much more than we thought.”

“Pella has always been a community that will come forward in these situations and we feel it now.”

Pella Fire’s team has participated for two years now in support of Doug’s wife Susan, who received a doug lung transplant in 2015 to battle a deadly and rare form of lung disease.

A group led by local resident Emily Haase and members of the Pella Police Department also participated to raise funds and climb stairs. Emily’s Team received $3789 in donations.

All proceeds benefit research and awareness of lung disease through the American Lung Association.