Media Releases

Firefighters Step up to the Sky Tower Challenge

01 May 2009

On Saturday 23 May 2009, 349 firefighters (and 58 auxiliary participants) will climb their way to the top of Auckland’s Sky Tower in an intense gut-busting, cardio challenge to raise funds for the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation (LBF).

In its sixth year, the Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge has become a New Zealand tradition. In 2008, 58 fire brigades participated and raised a record $94,000. For the last three years the Paihia Volunteer Fire Brigade have been lead fundraisers for the LBF and is gearing up to defend their title.

The courageous New Zealand fire brigades will compete in a race up the 51 flights – or 1,103 Sky Tower steps – wearing full firefighting kit weighing 25kg. They will be joined by two overseas brigades from Australia and the United States.
 
Pru Etcheverry, Executive Director of the LBF, says the Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge is a fantastic event and each year the LBF are overwhelmed by the amazing enthusiasm and generosity of the firefighters.

“They balance hectic work and life schedules, months of mental and physical training and still manage to find time to fundraise for the six New Zealanders who are diagnosed everyday with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and related blood cancers. They are truly our heroes and remarkable members of their communities.

“In this changing economy we are ever appreciative for SKYCITY and Auckland Airport’s support of the event and of the 349 fabulous firefighters who are up for this challenge. We hugely thank Auckland Airport firefighter, and Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge organiser, Tony Scott for every year coming out with a great level of enthusiasm and energy to make this event a success.”

SKYCITY Chief Executive Officer, Nigel Morrison, says SKYCITY is proud to support the Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge.

“SKYCITY is privileged to be involved in a large number of events that really make a difference in our community and we look forward to welcoming hardworking and courageous firefighters from all over New Zealand and overseas to the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere.”

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
• 51 flights of stairs in the Firefighters Sky Tower Challenge
• 1,103 individual steps
• $94,000 was raised for LBF in the 2008 Firefighters Sky Tower Challenge
• 349 firefighters representing fire brigades from around New Zealand are competing in the 2009 Challenge, including a team from Auckland Airport and Auckland Airport CEO Simon Moutter.
• At 328 metres the Sky Tower is the tallest building in the southern hemisphere
• Auckland Airport is providing a kick-start to the fundraising efforts with a $15,000 donation. This money has come from the generosity of the travelling public who donate their foreign currency in donation globes positioned throughout the airport.

MORE INFORMATION:
Event Details - 2009 Firefighter SkyTower Challenge in association with Auckland Airport

Date: Saturday 23 May 2009
Time: 7am - 1pm
Venue: Sky Tower, SKYCITY, Federal Street, Auckland Central

Leukaemia & Blood Foundation
The LBF is the only 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, information & education, awareness, advocacy and research.

The following Fire Brigades and Volunteer Fire Brigades are participating in the 2009 Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge:

Alexandra Volunteer Fire Brigade Athenree Volunteer Fire Brigade Auckland Airport Rescue Fire Auckland Region City Station Avondale Fire Brigade Awhitu Rural Fire Brigade Beachlands Volunteer Fire Brigade Bethells Valley Fire Brigade Cambridge Volunteer Fire Brigade Tikokino Volunteer Fire Brigade Waipawa Volunteer Fire Brigade Waipukurau Volunteer Fire Brigade Christchurch City Fire Brigade Clevedon Volunteer Fire Brigade Cooks Beach Volunteer Fire Brigade Cromwell Volunteer Fire Brigade Devonport Fire Brigade East Coast Bays Fire Brigade Edgecumbe Volunteer Fire Brigade Gis/Juken NZ Industrial Gis/Kotemaori VRFF Gisborne Fire Brigade Greenhithe Volunteer Fire Brigade Hamilton Airport Rescue Fire Henderson Fire Brigade Hikurangi Volunteer Fire Brigade Hutt City Fire Brigade Kaiapoi Volunteer Fire Brigade Kaikohe Volunteer Fire Brigade Kamo Volunteer Fire Brigade Kawakawa Volunteer Fire Brigade Kumeu Volunteer Fire Brigade Linton Army Fire Brigade Lumsden Volunteer Fire Brigade Mangawhai Volunteer Fire Brigade Mangere Fire Brigade Manly Volunteer Fire Brigade Manunui Volunteer Fire Brigade Maungaturoto Volunteer Fire Brigade Mercer Volunteer Fire Brigade

Morrinsville Volunteer Fire Brigade Mount Maunganui Station Mount Roskill Fire Brigade Muriwai Fire Brigade Napier Station Fire Brigade New Plymouth West Volunteer Fire Brigade Newmont Mines Rescue Okaiawa Volunteer Fire Brigade Onerahi Volunteer Fire Brigade Otahuhu Fire Brigade Paihia Volunteer Fire Brigade Papakura Fire Brigade Paraparaumu Fire Brigade Patutahi Volunteer Fire Brigade Plimmerton Volunteer Fire Brigade Pukekohe Volunteer Fire Brigade Queenstown Volunteer Fire Brigade Remuera Fire Brigade RNZAF Whenuapai Fire Brigade Silverdale Fire Brigade South Auckland Fire Brigade South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service Stratford Volunteer Fire Brigade Tairua Volunteer Fire Brigade Tawa Volunteer Fire Brigade Te Atatu Volunteer Fire Brigade Te Awamutu Volunteer Fire Brigade Te Kuiti Volunteer Fire Brigade Thames Volunteer Fire Brigade Titirangi Fire Brigade Tokomaru Volunteer Fire Brigade Turangi Volunteer Fire Brigade Waiatarua Volunteer Fire Brigade Waihi Beach Volunteer Fire Brigade Waipu Volunteer Fire Brigade Waitakere Rural Fire Brigade Waitemata Fire Brigade Wellington Airport Fire Service Wellsford Volunteer Fire Brigade Whitianga Volunteer Fire Brigade

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