Rosie Hollands can’t resist a challenge, and this year she is returning to the Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge with a goal of raising $5,000 for Kiwis living with blood cancer.
The Air New Zealand pilot, mum, and Wakefield volunteer firefighter competed last year, climbing the 1,103 steps to the Sky Tower’s viewing platform in 18 minutes while carrying the full 25kg of firefighting kit and wearing breathing apparatus (BA).
She raised about $2,000 last year, and is lifting the bar this year, with a host of fundraising events planned in the coming months before heading to Auckland for the challenge in May.
Despite being a trail runner and very fit, the intensity of last year’s Sky Tower Challenge caught her by surprise.
“It was that relentless step up, up, and up with 25kg of firefighting kit. The gear is designed to keep heat out, but it also keeps heat in really well! It’s a different type of exercise and a mental challenge.
“I did a little bit up the Tamaki Steps last year, but we’re a bit limited with steps here in Nelson.”
Last year Rosie was on the waitlist, so didn’t know if she would get to tackle the challenge. When she did get to Auckland, she was told the day before she could enter the ‘donned and started’ category, wearing the mask for the breathing apparatus.
“I figured I would be breathing fresh air – and then I freaked out all the night before.
“But I love a challenge and one of my biggest faults is I don’t really know when to turn away from it.”
While Rosie hopes to beat her time of 18 minutes from last year, her bigger goal is fundraising for the Sky Tower Challenge, which raises money for Blood Cancer NZ.
“One of the best things about this event is there’s such a massive focus on the fundraising and I want to smash my fundraising target out of the water!”
Local businesses and firefighters are helping her fundraise and already there has been a yoga fundraiser at the fire station, with many dressed in firefighting gear.
On 17 February, there’s a quiz at the Little Sprig Wakefield, followed on 1 March by golf at Redstone Golf Park, where 50 per cent of the green fees will be donated. Then, on 21 April, another quiz at the Little Sprig.
Firewood is another fundraising avenue, and Rosie says she’s “pretty open to physical labour”.
“Specifically, if there are some stairs to climb!”
Rosie will get some fitness practice with a team of Wakefield firefighters heading to Christchurch for the Firefighting Challenge in early March.
“It’s described as the toughest two-minute challenge in sport. It’s a lot of sweating.”
She has been a volunteer firefighter for two years and joined because she has to get involved.
“I’m really terrible at being a sideliner. I like to be involved and hands on – in the thick of it.
“And I like giving back. Having kids in the community, you always have a feeling you want to give back to people who have helped you through tough times and challenges.”
