Kaikohe towers over others

rendon Mayall and Aaron Nepia catch their breath at the top of the Sky Tower. Photo / Aimee Ruka

A Kaikohe team beat every other fire brigade crew in the country to claim the community spirit trophy in last weekend's Sky Tower Challenge, despite being first-timers in the gruelling event.

The annual fundraiser involves firefighters from around the country racing up Auckland Sky Tower's 1103 steps while weighed down with 25kg of gear. They also compete to raise the most cash for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer NZ.

Kaikohe Fire Brigade raised $18,513, the most of any Northland brigade. That result, plus strong backing from a town not exactly awash with money, earned them the Outstanding Community Award.

Team captain Brendon Mayall, a senior firefighter, said they were "blown away" by the win. "It's a little town but we had a lot of community support. It was amazing. People were really generous," he said.

Event founder Tony "Scottie" Scott, of Pakaraka, said it was an honour to give the award to Kaikohe. It was introduced this year to recognise communities for getting behind the challenge.

"It was the way these guys bonded together and the way the rest of the brigade, and the community, backed them. From an area that has very little, they give more than they've got," he said.

Mr Mayall said the brigade was keen to take part again next year. The crew was now planning a well-earned rest after giving up almost every weekend during the past six months for training or fundraising.

The other team members were Aaron Nepia, Stephen Peers, siblings Lara and JJ Hastings, and Clinton Lyall. They trained for the climb by walking around Kaikohe in weight vests, climbing Te Ahuahu hill, and running up and down a flight of steps near Opua wharf. They raised money with raffles, donation buckets, auctions, hay bale sales and a quiz night.

Overall, this year's event raised just over $1million.

Waipu had the region's second-highest tally with just over $10,000. Aaron Nepia of Kaikohe was one of the country's top individual fundraisers ($3331). Northland has a strong record in the Sky Tower Challenge. Paihia Fire Brigade won the trophy for the most money raised every year from 2006-10.