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Firefighter Memorial Stair Climb, Auckland 2012.

On September 11th 2012 ,at 5.30pm, (95) On September 11th 2012 ,at 5.30pm, (95) New Zealand Firefighters will climb the 30 floors of the old BNZ building at 125 Queen Street in Auckland city. This memorial climb, now in it’s forth year, is to remember all Firefighters both in New Zealand and overseas who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Founder of this climb, Tony Scott from Fireup Events, who is a Firefighter himself at Auckland Airport is passionate about raising awareness and is responsible for several Firefighter related events. Every day Firefighters all over New Zealand and the world put themselves on the line for others and this is what his events are all about.

This year the New Zealand event has been recognised and linked into other memorial climbs from around America being held to remember those who have perished in the line of duty. Being the first to see in a new day, New Zealand kicks this off. The NZ Memorial Climb is the first of five Memorial Climbs occurring on September 11th.

September 11 is a date that is forever imprinted into our minds; it’s the day that 343 American Firefighters lost their lives. That tragedy remains poignant for many in the Fire Service, here and overseas. The memorial stair climb is designed primarily to remember kiwis who have lost their lives, but will also remember those who perished in 9/11. The inspiration for a climb here in New Zealand came to Tony whilst attending the funeral of his friend Firefighter Derek Lovell, who tragically died whilst attending a fire in Hamilton in April 2008.

Each of the Firefighters, who climb the BNZ stairs, will wear a tally with the details of one of the 56 New Zealanders or one of the 343 New York Firefighters. It will state their name, and their brigade, the New York tallies will have the engine or ladder companies the Firefighters were assigned to, and their names, on the back.

The event starts at 5.30pm outside the (old) BNZ Building on Mills Lane, off Albert street, with Firefighters assembling to listen and remember the names of the NZ Firefighters who have died. United States Consul General Jim Donegan will read the names of the engine and ladder companies of the New York Fire Department who lost Firefighters on 9/11; a prayer will follow by Bishop Ross Bay before the Firefighters line up and start the climb.

Donations received for this event go to the New Zealand Firefighter Welfare Society who support these men and women who are doing our community this great service everyday, attending events many of us hope to never witness in our lifetime.

Fireup Events also, organise the Annual Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge, this event to date has raised over $1.1million for the Leukaemia and Blood Foundation (LBF) of New Zealand, and the Firefighter Chillfactor Challenge in Queenstown.

ENDS

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