Records fall as firefighters race up Sky Tower

Firefighter number 286, Sandra Hearn, crosses the line as the first female firefighter to finish. Photo: Michael Craig

The tenth annual Firefighter Sky Tower Stair Challenge was the biggest yet raising more than $870,000 for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand (LBC). More than 700 firefighters from across the country took part, climbing 1,103 stairs of Auckland's iconic Sky Tower on Saturday 17 May.

Josh Harrison from Otara Station set a new event record reaching the top of the tower in 8 minutes and 36 seconds. Second place getter Malcolm 'Scott' McGraw from Metropolitan Fire Brigade Melbourne completed the event in 9 minutes and 6 seconds, while William Garnett from Airport Rescue Fire Auckland came third with a time of 9 minutes 32 seconds.

The fastest woman up the tower was Sandra Hearn from Metropolitan Fire Brigade Melbourne with a time of 14 minutes 12 seconds.

The firefighters raced up 51 flights of stairs wearing full firefighting kit and breathing apparatus weighing up to 25kg. This year 181 brigades and stations were represented in the challenge. International firefighters also flew in from Australia and as far as Washington and Hawaii.

In addition to training for the gruelling event firefighters gave up hundreds of hours of their time fundraising for LBC.

One group, the New Zealand Firefighters Charitable Trust, battled through bandaged feet, sore muscles and painful blisters as they walked 300km from Waitangi to Auckland before taking part in the challenge. Meanwhile firefighters from Gisborne held a 90-minute Zumba dance party where they showed 80 participants their moves in full firefighter kit and raised $1000 bumping their total up to more than $4,000.

The top individual fundraiser this year was Mark Janssen from Stoke Volunteer Fire Brigade near Nelson who raised more than $13,000. Brian Clancey from Onerahi Volunteer Fire Brigade raised just over $9,000 followed by Daniel Wark from Waitahuna Volunteer Fire Brigade who raised almost $7,500 and Shane Reily from Te Aroha Volunteer Fire Bridge who raised $6,500.

The top fundraising brigades were Airport Rescue Fire Auckland, which raised almost $88,000 and Porirua Station which spent more than 360 hours shaking buckets and collected over $40,500.

Pru Etcheverry, CEO of Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand, says it's been incredible seeing how generous New Zealand firefighters have been with their time and energy to raise this breath-taking amount of money.

"We know the firefighters truly understand our work with families. The funds raised will go towards helping people in their communities through our national patient support services programme.

"It's fantastic to be celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Firefighter Sky Tower Stair Challenge and I want to thank all the firefighters who have sacrificed their time and have put their bodies on the line to support our patients," says Ms Etcheverry.

SKYCITY Auckland General Manager John Mortensen says the $1 million fundraising target is an ambitious goal for a worthwhile cause.

"The money raised so far is a phenomenal achievement, and we're urging people to get behind the firefighters as they climb closer to their goal of $1 million," Mr Mortensen says.

"We have been honoured to open the Tower up to this fantastic event for the past ten years. SKYCITY is backing LBC and the firefighters every step of the way, right to the top of the Tower," he says.

The event is supported by SKYCITY (the major sponsor), Auckland Airport and Tait Communications.