Central’s firefighters are sweating: it's prohibited fire season, hot, dry and windy weather is here, and they are training for the annual Sky Tower challenge.  

Representatives from Central’s Volunteer Fire Brigades will once again tackle Auckland’s Sky Tower this May for a good cause: Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand.

Training is in full swing for the teams as are their fundraising efforts. 

Pages for local residents to show their support can be found online for Alexandra, Clyde, Cromwell, Roxburgh, Omakau, and Naseby brigades.

Last year Central Otago district mayor Tim Cadogan completed the event after months of getting fit on the Clyde Dam stairs. 

Tim said training for and completing the challenge was one of the best things he has done in his life. 

“To be part of something that has raised over $10M over the years for such a worthwhile charity was immense, as was the relief at crossing the finish line.

“I am in utter admiration of the firefighters that undertake this challenge. As an amateur, I didn’t have to wear breathing apparatus which… just adds to the misery. It was not unusual to see climbers collapse from going too hard and not getting enough air in on the way up.

“I’m hoping to have another crack at the Tower again this year, but whether I am there or not, I wish all the local teams well in their fundraising and their climb,” Tim said.

The Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge is now in its 19th consecutive year and now raises more than $1M for the charity annually. 

Along with Kiwi firefighters international competitors come from Australia, Chile, Germany, Croatia and the United Kingdom. 

Alexandra’s Jayden Toth, team captain Mitch Stringer and Quinton Wicks

The firefighters will be wearing full firefighter gear and breathing apparatus that weighs around 25kg. 

The climb is 1103 steps, 328m high. It’s more than 50 flights of stairs to the top.

Fundraising closes on May 18, just prior to the challenge, on Saturday May 20. 

A member of the Clyde team taking part in the 2021 Sky Tower Challenge, loaded up with 23 kgs of kit

Advertisement