Media Release April 2013

Te Puke Fire Brigade Steps Up To The Challenge

The Te Puke Fire Brigade is stepping up to a tough challenge this year by taking part in the Sky Tower Firefighters Stair Climb.

This annual event raises funds for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand (LBC), a national charity that supports patients and their families living with blood cancers but receives no government funding.

Last year around 480 fire men and women took part in the Sky Tower Firefighters Stair Climb which requires the fully kitted out firefighters to run up the 51 floors (1,103 steps) of the Sky Tower, with the race starting four floors below ground. This huge physical and fundraising effort raised an impressive $319,000 for LBC in 2012.

The Te Puke Volunteer Fire Brigade has around 30 volunteer firefighters and this year eight brave team members are competing in the stair climb. Mathew Cooke, a qualified firefighter from Te Puke Fire Brigade says he is looking forward to his second year competing. “The Sky Tower Firefighters Stair Climb is an opportunity to race against yourself up the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere.

“It’s a challenge that we’re looking forward to tackling and a charity that we are proud to be supporting.”

As part of the fundraising effort, the Te Puke Fire Brigade team visited Bayfair Shopping Centre on Saturday 23 March, to raise awareness for their cause. They were dressed in the same gear they will be wearing in the race, a full fire fighting kit including Breathing Apparatus (BA), weighing a total of 25 kilograms.

Bayfair marketing manager Louise Chapman says, “Seeing the Te Puke Fire Brigade in their full kit and knowing they are going to race up over 1,000 steps to the top of the Sky Tower is impressive. The team have clearly worked tirelessly in fundraising and training for this great cause.

Bayfair is pleased to be able to assist and we wish them the best of luck for the big stair climb.”

The Sky Tower Firefighters Stair Climb takes place on Saturday, 11 May 2013. To donate to the Te Puke Fire Brigade fundraising effort, visit: http://www.firefightersclimb.org.nz/view_group_event_profile/421

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