Sky's the limit for Kaikohe team

The Kaikohe Volunteer Fire Brigade has entered a team for the Sky Tower Stair Challenge for the first time this year, which will see them run up the tower's 1103 steps weighed down with 25kg of firefighting gear.

All proceeds from the annual event, which last year raised $915,000, go to Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand.

Northland firefighters have an impressive history in the challenge, but the Kaikohe volunteers will be newbies in the gruelling 51-storey race. Team captain Brendon Mayall said his crew of six were training hard for the May 23 event, however, walking around town in weight vests, climbing Te Ahuahu hill, and running up and down a flight of 82 steps near Opua wharf.

The other half of the challenge is to raise as much money as possible for the cause. To that end the volunteers were planning a series of raffles and Trade Me auctions of a Warriors shirt and a helicopter trip to Motukokako/Hole in the Rock, and had placed donation buckets around Kaikohe. The brigade would also host a quiz at the fire station on March 14.

The other team members are Clint Lyall, Steve Peers, Aaron Nepia, and siblings Lara and JJ Hastings. They each aim to raise $1000.

The event was founded by Pakaraka man Tony Scott of Pakaraka. For five years in a row, 2006-10, the Paihia Fire Brigade won the trophy for most money raised by any brigade in the country.

Last year's standout stair-climbers included Alistair Leitch, of the Kawakawa Fire Brigade, and Tanya Bijl, of Paihia, who finished fifth and sixth in their divisions in 12 minutes 16 seconds and 16 minutes respectively.

- Call Mr Mayall on (021) 998-416 or email aimeeruka@vodafone.co.nz for more information. The team also has a Facebook page (search for 'Kaikohe Sky Tower Challenge Team').