Gisborne engineering student steps up to the Sky Tower challenge

On the up: Firefighter Connor Mitchell has found the steps up Kaiti Hill good training for the 2018 Firefighter Sky Tower Stair Challenge. Picture supplied

Stair crazy?

Gisborne engineering student and volunteer firefighter Connor Mitchell is ascending Kaiti Hill while wearing his firefighting uniform and carrying a 15 kilogram air tank on his back.

Mr Mitchell is in training for the 2018 Firefighter Sky Tower Stair Challenge, the annual fundraiser for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand (LBCNZ).

The challenge will be on May 19.

By then 19-year-old Connor Mitchell will be hefting 25 kilograms of full firefighter kit and in his preparation, would have run up and down more than 100,000 steps.

“Raising money for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand is a really good cause, and as a bonus, I’m fitter than I’ve ever been,” said Connor.

During term time Mr Mitchell lives in Tauranga where, with the support of an Eastland Group grant, he is in his final year of study for an engineering diploma.

When not studying or working as an Eastland Port intern, he’s committed to his roles as an award-winning surf life saver and volunteer fireman.

He will be doing the Sky Tower climb as a member of the Greerton Volunteer Fire Brigade team and already is well ahead of his team mates with his fundraising.

His goal is $1500 and he’s three-quarters of the way there thanks to Eastland Port and the “bucket-shaking” he and a fellow firefighter did around Gisborne over summer.

“We were so impressed with the generosity of Gisborne people,’’ Connor said.

“That’s why I want to get on with my study so I can get back to this place that I love.”

Connor said six children and adults in New Zealand were diagnosed with a blood cancer like leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma every day.

“LBCNZ is the national charity dedicated to supporting patients and their families.

‘‘This support can last months or even years.

“LBCNZ receives no government funding, so please sponsor me and help me support this great cause.”

Connor will be one of 950 firefighters taking part in the 2018 Firefighter Sky Tower Stair Challenge.

The firefighters will climb 1103 steps over 51 flights of the Sky Tower.

Across New Zealand, close to 200 brigades and their firefighters are holding popular fundraisers such as car washes, sausage sizzles and quiz nights.

More unusual events include hypnotist evenings and guessing the number of Lego bricks in a 10kg fire truck.

To date this year, firefighters have raised over $400,000 towards a fundraising target of $1 million.

The Firefighter Sky Tower Stair Challenge is sponsored by SkyCity and Auckland Airport.

SkyCity Auckland hosted the first Firefighter Sky Tower Stair Challenge in 2005.

“We’re so proud to have Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand as a charity partner and to have an icon like the Sky Tower that has enabled this incredibly successful fundraising event that has raised nearly $6 million over the past 13 years,” said Brad Burnett, general manager SkyCity Hotels and Sky Tower.

¦ Mr Mitchell’s fundraising campaign can be supported on https://tinyurl.com/ybld8ujt