More than $22,000 has been raised by the Richmond Volunteer Fire Brigade as they prepare to head to the Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge in Auckland for the blood cancer fundraiser this weekend.
On May 20 they will don their firefighting gear, put a cylinder of air on their back and use breathing apparatus as they race to the 51st floor of the southern hemisphere’s highest building – the Sky Tower.
One of their team, John Kingsbury, will carry a heavier steel cylinder and head to the 60th floor for the ‘Man of Steel’ category.
Firefighter Sam Oliver says 10 volunteer firefighters are taking part in this year’s challenge and for some it will be the first time while others have been tackling it for a number of years.
The team have been heading to Tamaki Steps in Nelson during their training, wearing weighted gear, with one managing the long, steep climb nine times.
Sam says it is all about the fundraising though and this year is the best yet for the Richmond team. By last week they had raised just over $22,000.
Individual team members receive donations, and regular fundraising efforts “shaking the bucket” outside Countdown has boosted the total.
“That’s a fantastic effort from the Richmond community. It’s such a great cause and so many people have come into contact with cancer. The team really want to thank the Richmond community for their massive support this year – it’s the most the Richmond team has ever made.”
He says the fundraising outside Countdown brought the team face-to-face with people who had stories about battling cancer and reinforced the reason they were taking on the challenge.
The team are sitting fourth nationally for fundraising and the event is on target to reach about $1.3 million for Leukemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand. Alongside Sam heading up the Sky Tower’s steps will be Bryan Parks, Nicole Semaine, Matthew Riordan, John Kingsbury, Daniel Murtagh, Kerry Donnelly, Ashley McCabe, Amy Little and Tom Laney.
On the day, teams set off up the steps in waves and everyone races at their own pace as individuals. Last year the first Richmond team member made it to the top in 12 minutes and 50 seconds, but Sam says times vary greatly and it is all about the fundraising – and getting to the top.
“It’s a great sense of relief when you get to the top and go through that door.”
