Firefighters dash to the top
19 May 2010
EVENT DETAILS
What: Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge
When: Saturday 22 May | 8am-noon
Time: Arrival 7.00–7.30am (First runner and celebs run at 8.00am)
Where: Federal Street, CBD; Base of the Auckland Sky Tower
Go to: http://www.firefightersclimb.org.nz/
This Saturday 22 May, 430 fire-fighters will compete in a breathtaking race to the top of Auckland’s iconic Sky Tower for the chance to claim fastest man, fastest woman and fastest team. The fire-fighters are taking on the challenge to raise funds for the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation (LBF).
The fire-fighters will be joined by TV3 News Presenter, Hilary Barry; CEO Fidelity Life, Milton Jennings; CIO SKYCITY, Mike Clarke; LBF Executive Director, Pru Etcheverry and one anonymous participant who won the chance to participate on Trade me.
In its seventh year, the Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge is a New Zealand tradition that has attracted international participation. The New Zealand brigades will be joined by fire-fighters from the U.S. and Australia. The fire-fighters will attempt 51 flights - 1,103 Sky Tower steps - wearing full fire-fighting kit and breathing apparatus weighing up to 25kg.
In addition to the physical test, the Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge is a charity event to raise funds for the LBF. Since the start of the year, New Zealand fire brigades have been fundraising in a wide variety of ways including hosting local quiz nights, dinners and auctions to fundraise.
The Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge numbers:
• 6 children and adults in New Zealand everyday are diagnosed with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma or a related blood condition
• More than 500 contacts with patients and general enquiries every month is managed by the LBF Patient Support Services team
• 10,000 people are living with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma or a related blood condition in New Zealand
• Over $1,000 each day is the cost of providing LBF’s Support Services
• 430 fire-fighters
• 51 flights of stairs in the Firefighters Sky Tower Challenge
• 1,103 individual steps
-ENDS-
Leukaemia & Blood Foundation
The LBF is the national organisation in New Zealand dedicated to supporting patients and their families living with leukaemia, myeloma, lymphoma and related blood conditions.
Every day 6 children and adults in New Zealand are diagnosed with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma or a related blood condition, the equivalent of around 2,200 New Zealanders a year.
The funds raised go towards the LBF’s Support Services Programme to provide core services – patient support, research, information, advocacy and awareness.
For further information contact:
For further information please contact:
Connie Sprague
Auckland Media Relations Manager
SKYCITY Entertainment Group
Phone: +64 9 363 6409
Mobile: +64 21 505 638
E-mail: connie.sprague@skycity.co.nz
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SKYCITYAkl
Leola Abraham
Communications & Media Relations Manager
Leukaemia & Blood Foundation
Phone: 09 638 3556; Mobile: 021 523 172
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