Firemen take up challenge to fight blood disease

Paihia volunteer firefighter Ben Warren and his daughter, Amber, are part of the fundraising team gathering funds for the Leukemia and Blood Foundation ahead of the Sky Tower Challenge. Photo/John Stone

It's not an easy challenge scaling the internal staircase of Sky Tower with more than 25kg of full firefighting kit on your back.

But there are plenty of Northland firefighters up for the challenge, including eight from Paihia.

Not only are the Paihia contingent trying to take race honours they will be doing their best to get their hands on the highly desirable title of being the brigade to raise the most money during the challenge which will go to the Leukaemia and Blood Foundation.

They are no strangers to raising money having claimed the title five times before this 10th anniversary race in May. All up they have raised about $88,000 for the cause.

Firefighter Hughie Blues said the team were a bit behind this year but hoped to raise some money for the great event.

He said the brigade had just opened a new station.

He was also competing in the race and hoping to beat his best time of 12 minutes.

Deputy fire chief Rex Wilson will be running up the stairs again. His fastest time is slightly more than 11 minutes. He reckons by the time you hit the 10th floor oxygen deprivation kicks in and your lungs are screaming.

The race is up 51 flights, or 1103 steps, wearing the full firefighting kit and using a breathing apparatus.

In the Paihia team was Tanya Bijl, a dive instructor, who could do well in the woman's section, Mr Wilson said.

If you would like to donate, head to http://my.leukaemia.net.nz/paihia