950 firefighters to take on the Sky Tower this Saturday

Media Release – 14 May, 2018

With five days to go until the Firefighter Sky Tower Stair Challenge, 950 firefighters have raised nearly $900,000 so far for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand (LBC).

Taking part are firefighters from across New Zealand as well as Australia and the United States. Sixty years separates the youngest and oldest firefighters, all of whom will take on the 1,103 steps of the Sky Tower in full firefighting kit and breathing apparatus weighing up to 25kg.

A special squad of non-firefighters are competing in the event, including MP Alfred Ngaro and owner of the SKYCITY Breakers and former NBA player Matt Walsh. This squad will race up in full firefighting kit with a start time of 8.40am.

Firefighter and defence force veteran Maaka McKinney began walking from Tutukaka in Northland last Friday and will finish at the top of Auckland’s Sky Tower. Along the way he is raising awareness and funds for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand. McKinney is also a campaigner for raising awareness of post-traumatic stress disorder in first responders. This is the third long walk he has completed for LBC.

Ascending the stairs for a record 14th time will be firefighter Adam Rubie from Omakau in Central Otago.

The event officially starts at 7.30am with a haka outside SKYCITY to open the day before competitors take to the stairs until 2pm.

Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand General Manager Georgie Hackett says the funds raised from the event go back into the firefighters’ communities.

“The funds raised by freighters allow Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand to continue to grow. This fundraising helps us provide vital support for families living with blood cancer in their communities right across the country. It also helps us provide information and education, fund research raise awareness of these diseases and advocate on behalf of families.”

ENDS

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