“Running up 51 storeys in full gear is going to be really hard, pretty uncomfortable, maybe exhausting, but it's nothing compared to what other families with blood cancer go through”.
That’s the sentiment from one of Nelson’s volunteer firefighters who are stepping up to a laborious challenge in the Big Smoke.
The Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge is etched in firefighter calendars and is the largest fundraiser for Blood Cancer NZ with firies from across the country ascending 1103 steps inside the southern hemisphere’s second-tallest building.
Firefighter kit weighing 25kg, including the breathing apparatus, cylinder, and mask, is what they’ll be sporting.
Andy Josephson is the sole representative from Nelson Volunteer Fire Brigade for the challenge this year and Nathan Hackett, Jacques Doman and Chelsea Senkeldam are fired up to represent Stoke Volunteer Fire Brigade.
All have burned through the pain at the Tamaki Steps for practice with Andy rucking a backpack containing six 1.5 litre water bottles, and his “35kg of pure love”, Twiggy the dog, provides him with the spark to press on.
Andy says the cause ignited his decision to enter the challenge, which takes place on 23 May.
“I don't think that anyone is really untouched by cancer in some way, shape or form, and I feel like blood cancer doesn't get the visibility of other cancers,” he says.
“It’s cool to put your body through something like this in a strenuous way with like-minded people, because it’s all mostly volunteers from across the country in the same space supporting the same cause.”
Andy has already surpassed his $5000 fundraising target through events including a quiz night at Eddyline Pizzeria and a fundraiser at Red16, where all profits from a special beer brewed for him by Wellington’s Double Vision Brewing went directly towards his fundraising total.
The beer, named Vital Drop, featured Andy’s caricature on the label. He says he will “most certainly” celebrate with a few pints and some “big city food selections” if he conquers the climb, which he hopes to complete in under 17 minutes.
For Stoke firefighters Nathan and Jacques, this will be their second Sky Tower climb, while Chelsea will be taking on the challenge for the first time.
Chelsea’s category involves full firefighting protective clothing, without the breathing apparatus.
The fundraiser for Blood Cancer NZ also gives them the fire in their bellies.
“When we're talking about something like blood cancer, it's just a case of just mentally saying ‘don't stop, you have to keep moving’,” team captain Nathan says.
“Blood cancer is a big issue in the world. Eight people a day in New Zealand are diagnosed with it, and that's a crazy number.
“So being able to be part of something to help make life a little bit better for those people that are personally dealing with it and their families, it's just a really good cause to be part of.
“Jacques had someone that he called his grandad, who sadly, was dealing with it and did pass away in the end. So he did the climb last year and dedicated that to him.”
The trio are aiming to raise $5000 and have already been collecting donations outside Woolworths Stoke. Further fundraisers include a planned breakfast at Summerset in the Sun and a parkrun at Atawhai.
Donations to support the Stoke Volunteer Fire Brigade team can be made at firefighterschallenge.org.nz/t/2026-stoke-volunteer-fire-brigade, while donations for Andy can be made at firefighterschallenge.org.nz/andy-josephson.
