Six Brightwater volunteer firefighters, sweltering in their full protective gear and wearing their heavy steel-capped boots, are keeping residents entertained as they haul themselves up the village’s steepest hill in the heat of summer.
It’s all for a good cause as the six train for the Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge in Auckland that fundraises for Kiwis living with blood cancer.
The team - Elliot Slotemaker, his brother Cole Slotemaker, their chief Paul Shutte, Nikki Furness, Brenton Laing and Cody Treanor - have until May to train with 25kg of firefighting kit to tackle the 1,103 steps up the Sky Tower. Every day after work they head to Katania Heights, a 400m steep climb they repeat several times.
Last year, brothers Elliot and Cole competed in the challenge, and they say their goal this year is “to survive” and “get to the top!”
This time the team is made up of half the Brightwater Volunteer Fire Brigade, who usually wear lighter rural firefighting kit and are now battling the heat of the heavier kit as much as the hill itself.
“It’s like doing exercise in a sauna,” Paul says.
On the plus side, they are getting to know the residents of Katania Heights.
“We’ve made some really cool friends on Katania Heights who come out and give us encouragement,” Cody says.
“Or they laugh at us,” Paul jokes. “I’ve had some ask me where the fire is, where the truck is, and do I need a lift somewhere?”
Cody says the team appreciates everyone who has sponsored them so far for the cause. Several fundraising events are planned, included a quiz, and on 15 March there will be a community fun day at the Teapot Valley Christian Camp.
