Firefighters feel the burn on run up tower's 1103 steps

READY TO GO: Aaron Whitford heads to the start line.

Two Whanganui firefighters taking part in the annual Sky Tower Stair Challenge managed to raise just over $2500 for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand.

Operational support firefighters Aaron Whitford and Thomas Signal donned their gear on Saturday and climbed 51 flights of stairs up the Sky Tower.

"It was challenging ... really hot and sweaty, but the camaraderie was good," Mr Whitford said.

"If someone stopped, everyone checks to see how they're doing ... good brotherhood, as such."

Mr Whitford did the climb - which was 1103 steps while wearing 25kg of firefighting gear - in 34 minutes and 37 seconds, while Mr Signal managed it in 45 minutes and 55 seconds.

Mr Whitford said Mr Signal was unlucky enough to be given a breathing apparatus to wear that was 4kg heavier than the one they had been training with.

"That does play a big part," he said.

Mr Whitford said he would be doing the challenge again in the future.

"It's good fun."

With a total amount raised of $2527, he and Mr Signal were "pretty happy with our fundraising efforts".

Nationally, $1,158,140 was raised.