Firefighter Sky Tower Stair Challenge fundraising rapidly climbing

With just over a week to go until the Firefighter Sky Tower Stair Challenge, 850 firefighters have already raised $650,000 for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand (LBC).

211 brigades from around New Zealand are participating in the event this year alongside several international firefighters flying in from The United States, Hawaii, Australia, Germany and Chile. They will race up Auckland’s Sky Tower wearing full firefighting gear weighing up to 25kg.

Firefighters participating in the event have spent the past 6 months fundraising in their spare time to try to reach the $850,000 target for 2016.

Some of the more interesting fundraising initiatives firefighters have undertaken include an auction on Trademe run by The New Zealand Fire Service National Training Centre to train and become a firefighter for the day. Two Ashurst firefighters put down the fire hoses and picked up the tools and built a ‘crooked fire station’ playhouse which was sold on Trademe for over $1,100.

There is also a special squad of non-firefighters competing in the event comprising well-known New Zealand celebrities, media personalities and LBC corporate supporters. One News presenter Wendy Petrie, SKYCITY Breakers new head coach Paul Henare and three members of SKYCITY’s senior management team - Rob Hamilton, Peter Treacy, and Sifa Taumoepeau are all part of the squad who have been busy training and fundraising to compete in the challenge.

The funds raised from the event go back into the community, by helping LBC continue to run their vital service supporting the six Kiwis diagnosed with a blood cancer or related condition every day. LBC receives no Government funding.

Pru Etcheverry, CEO of Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand says each year the firefighters do so much coming up with unique fundraising ideas to raise more money than the last.

“The fundraising total is climbing rapidly and we are so very, very appreciative of all they are doing which helps us immensely in our ability to deliver our patient services. We love hearing the many wonderful stories from around the country of how these fantastic firefighters are doing such creative and fun things to fundraise in their communities.”

The event is sponsored by SKYCITY, Auckland Airport and Tait Communications.

To find out how to support your local brigade visit www.firefightersclimb.org.nz

ENDS

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