Firefighters step up to Sky Tower challenge
29 Apr 2009
Australian and American fire brigades are to take on their Kiwi counterparts in an unusual challenge that will see 349 firefighters in full kit racing to the top of Auckland’s Sky Tower.
The teams will take part in the Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge on Saturday, 23 May (2009) to raise money for the New Zealand Leukaemia & Blood Foundation (LBF).
1103 Sky Tower steps
Members of fire brigades from throughout New Zealand and the two international brigades will don their 25kg outfits and race up 51 flights - or 1103 Sky Tower steps.
The Sky Tower is the southern hemisphere’s tallest building and stands 328 metres above the ground in inner city Auckland.
Sky Tower Challenge
Now in its sixth year, the Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge has become a New Zealand tradition. In 2008, 58 fire brigades took part and raised a record NZ$94,000 for LBF.
For the last three years the Paihia Volunteer Fire Brigade from Northland has been lead fundraiser for the charity, and is gearing up to defend that title again this year.
Firefighting heroes
Pru Etcheverry, executive director of the LBF, says the Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge is a fantastic event, and each year the LBF is overwhelmed by the amazing enthusiasm and generosity of the firefighters.
"They balance hectic work and life schedules, months of mental and physical training and still manage to find time to fundraise for the six New Zealanders who are diagnosed everyday with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and related blood cancers. They are truly our heroes and remarkable members of their communities," she said.
Auckland Airport
A $15,000 kick-start donation for the challenge has been raised by travellers who donate foreign currency at Auckland Airport.
The Auckland Airport Firefighting team competing in the challenge includes the airport's chief executive Simon Moutter.
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