More than 1100 firefighters and emergency responders from across New Zealand took on the Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge in Auckland, climbing 1103 steps while wearing 25kg of gear to raise $2.5 million nationwide for New Zealanders living with blood cancer.
New Zealand’s firefighters are used to extreme environments, hard work and regularly saving lives.
However, in the Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge, men and women were putting in the hard yards for those going through a different kind of challenge.
Every day, eight New Zealanders are diagnosed with blood cancer or a related blood condition.
The Oamaru, Weston, Duntroon, Waikouaiti and Palmerston Volunteer Fire Brigades collectively raised a total of $113,709.
OceanaGold Macraes emergency response team (ERT) raised $48,232, placing third in team fundraising nationwide.
Macraes ERT team captain Steve Renton, an Oamaru local, said he was "incredibly proud" of the commitment shown by the team, not just in the gruelling training leading up to the Sky Tower event, but in the time and energy each member dedicated to fundraising for Blood Cancer NZ.
"We climb those stairs because we can, and we fundraise because we know it makes a real difference to people battling blood cancer.
"Our fundraising goes towards families across New Zealand, including in our own communities, and that’s what brings us back year after year," he said.
The Macraes ERT are no strangers to challenge.
Since 2018, the Macraes ERT has responded to about 150 incidents outside the mine, saving numerous lives in the process.
"Team members must be mentally and physically fit to be part of the ERT, and that showed in the Sky Tower Challenge," Mr Renton said.
The ERT team time was 44 minutes, 24 seconds (20th for race time).
The fastest team member in individual challenge was heavy diesel mechanic Max Watson, with 11 minutes and 49 seconds.
Mr Renton said they will now focus on training for the national mines rescue competition to be held at Macraes Mine later this year.
"In November we will get to put our emergency response skills in to action.
"Previous mines rescue competitions have included scenarios that have tested skills in underground rescue, vehicle extraction, rescue from height and hazardous chemical response. In addition, there is usually a theory section too.
"You have to be on the top of you game to do well, know your stuff, and know how to work effectively as a team," he said.
