Jeffrey Hall puts firefighting skills to good use for Rotorua car wash fundraiser

Jeffery Hall is used to being behind a hose in his role as a firefighter – only this time he'll be using it to wash cars.

The Rotorua Airport firefighter is holding a car wash on Friday as part of his fundraising efforts ahead of his third Sky Tower Stair Challenge. The popular Sky Tower event is a fundraiser for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand.

Between 10am and 2pm he'll be washing cars on site at Rotorua Airport, with all the donations going to the cause close to his heart.

The car wash will be his largest fundraiser ahead of the challenge in May. So far Hall has raised almost $3600, just short of the $3800 he raised last year.

Hall said the fundraising aspect was one of the parts he enjoyed most about the challenge.

"It is very humbling, seeing all the people who have a link to the cause. One lady gave me $100, which was just amazing."

Hall knows only too well the personal element, losing his sister to cancer. This time around he'll carry a photograph in memory of 14-year-old Connor Hewitson, a family friend who died from leukaemia.

"It's an honour to take him up to the top with me. You know you're doing it for someone."

Hall has been training by running up the stairs at the Rotorua Novotel, as well as tracks in Rotorua's Redwoods. Despite it being his third time taking part, he has been training more than ever.

His 2018 goal is to shave one minute off last year's time, completing the 51 flights of stairs (1103 stairs all up) in 15 minutes or less.

"It's such a good event and a good cause."

Hall said he was also grateful to the support of Thrifty Car Rentals at Rotorua Airport which had helped with fundraising and would be lending a hand on Friday at the car wash.

Rotorua Airport chief executive Mark Gibb said the airport was proud of Hall's commitment to the challenge.

Gibb said they're happy to support the fundraising efforts by allowing the car wash at the airport site.

"It's fantastic to see the airport community and wider community support this cause, and we hope plenty of people take advantage of Friday's car wash to help with Mr Hall's fundraising efforts."

Those who want to donate to Hall's fundraising efforts online, can do so by going to https://tinyurl.com/Rotoruafireman.

About the car wash:
• Taking place from 10am to 2pm
• Held on site at Rotorua Airport
• Available to anyone
• Cost is a donation