Firefighters step up to the Sky Tower Challenge for charity

Firefighters from New Zealand and overseas flooded Auckland’s Sky Tower on Saturday to raise $140,000 for charity, smashing the previous record of $94,000.

More than 420 firefighters and auxiliary staff from around New Zealand, Australia and the United States ran up 51 flights (1051 steps) to the main observation deck to raise money for the Leukemia and Blood Foundation.

Paihia’s Volunteer Fire Brigade seized the fundraising trophy for the fourth consecutive year, raising $15,670.

Spokeswoman for the foundation Leola Abraham was very pleased with the outcome.

“We thought it was a fantastic event.

“We’re very thankful for the firefighters’ generosity for both participating and fundraising for the Leukemia and Blood Foundation,” she says.

South Auckland firefighter Doug Kinsella was the fastest to the top, completing the race in 9m 40s.

The fastest female, for the second year in a row, was Maree Ryan from Hutt City who finished in 14m 11s.

This year was the first year the 10-minute barrier was broken, meaning Kinsella would have had to climb more than five flights a minute.

Most of the firefighters who ran completed the challenge wearing full fire fighting kit and breathing apparatus weighing up to 25kg.

Many were visibly exhausted, but St John’s Ambulance staff were on hand to deal with any problems.