Gisborne firefighters to scale Sky Tower - in full kit

File photo / Michael Craig

Seven firefighters from the Gisborne district are preparing to put their fitness levels to the test by climbing all 1103 steps of the Auckland Sky Tower next month in full kit.

Yes, you read it right, full kit... that's a helmet, gumboots, structural fire fighting clothing and a breathing apparatus - a total of around 20kg.

More than 450 firefighters from around New Zealand and across the world are taking part in the eighth running of the event in May. It sold out in just 13 hours.

Peter Stevens (Patutahi), Tahi Whakaara (JNL) and Robin Sneddon, Steve Hermon, Ed Hindmarsh, Elan Price and Jason Hodgetts from the Gisborne station make up the team.

"We are all working very hard to raise as much money as we can for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand (LBC), and we greatly appreciate the support from our community," said Gisborne senior firefighter Robin Sneddon.

"Last year a total of more than $170,000 was raised for the LBC," he said.

LBC is a national charity dedicated to supporting patients and their families living with blood cancers, like leukaemia and related blood conditions. They receive no government funding.

Six children and adults in New Zealand are diagnosed with a blood cancer like leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma or a related blood condition every day.

"We are aiming to be part of the huge effort to raise $240,000 this year to reach the grand total of $1,000,000 in eight years," said Mr Sneddon.

The fastest climb up the tower was set last year by Auckland firefighter Josh Harrison of Otara, in a time of eight minutes and 45 seconds.

The previous record was nine minutes and 35 seconds set the year before by Josh's flat mate, Paul Gerritsen.