Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge 08
A record $94,000 was raised for the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation (LBF) in the gut-busting Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge held on Saturday May 10, 2008 at SKYCITY.
230 brave firefighters from around New Zealand competed in a race up the 47 flights - or 1,029 Sky Tower steps - wearing full firefighting kit and breathing apparatus weighing up to 22kg.
For the first year ever there was a tie for the fastest firefighter title. Doug Kinsella from Manukau and Mike Williamson from Manly both completed the race in an impressive 10 minutes 58 seconds. The fastest female was Maree Ryan from Tauranga who finished in 15 minutes 53 seconds.
Firefighters gained sponsorship for their efforts from friends, colleagues and family in their local communities - with all money going to the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation. The $94,000 raised this year smashed last year’s total of $50,000.
A special guest this year was Brodie Carvalho from Dunedin. The 28-year-old Special Olympian has Down Syndrome and completed a staggering 24,292 steps in training for the event. He was accompanied by Mosgiel firefighter Richard Yardley, who originally challenged Brodie to make the climb. Brodie completed the climb in 27 minutes and 20 seconds in full firefighting gear and he and Richard also raised a massive $12,000 for the LBF.
Pru Etcheverry, Executive Director of the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation, said: “I am filled with admiration for the firefighters who not only juggle hectic work and training schedules, but still manage to find time to fundraise.
“Each year the climb times and fundraising totals keep rising and it is truly an honour to be associated with these incredible people."
SKYCITY Chief Executive Officer, Nigel Morrison, said SKYCITY was proud to support the Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge for the sixth year in a row.
“SKYCITY is privileged to be involved in a large number of events that really make a difference in our community. I take my hat off to each firefighter who took on the challenge and look forward to seeing the impact this incredible fundraising event has for the patients and families who live with leukaemia and other blood cancers every day.”
Winning Results
Individual Men – Donned & Started (in full firefighter gear breathing through breathing apparatus)
1. Doug Kinsella, Manukau Fire Brigade (tie) – 10 minutes 58 seconds
1. Mike Williamson, Manly Volunteer Fire Brigade (tie) – 10 minutes 58 seconds
2. Dan van Hoppe, Manukau Fire Brigade – 11 minutes 41 seconds
3. Josh Nicholls, Auckland Airport Emergency Services – 11 minutes 46 seconds
Individual Men – Donned (in full firefighter gear but not breathing through breathing apparatus)
1. Tom Kearney, Bethells Valley Rural Fire Force – 13 minutes 22 seconds
2. Jessy Steiner, Mangawai Volunteer Fire Brigade – 15 minutes 42 seconds
3. Gywn Burton, Waipawa Volunteer Fire Brigade – 15 minutes 44 seconds
Individual Women - Donned & Started (in full firefighter gear breathing through breathing apparatus)
1. Maree Ryan, Tauranga Volunteer Fire Brigade – 15 minutes 53 seconds
2. Naomi Whyte, Muriwai Volunteer Fire Brigade - 17 minutes 12 seconds
3. Carmen Daniela, Tokomaru Volunteer Fire Brigade - 17 minutes 24 seconds
Individual Women – Donned (in full firefighter gear but not breathing through breathing apparatus)
1. Rachel Berry, Silverdale Volunteer Brigade – 16 minutes 44 seconds
2. Lisa McCallum, Bethells Valley Rural Fire Force – 19 minutes 10 seconds
3. Saphire Gooch, Stratford – 19 minutes 40 seconds
Fastest Cumulative Team Time
1. Manukau Fire Brigade - Doug Kinsella, Dan van Hoppe, Wayde Bradbury – 35 minutes 12 seconds
2. Auckland Airport Emergency Services - Josh Nicholls, Stuart Graham, Steve Fairweather – 36 minutes 21 seconds
3. Te Awamutu Volunteer Fire Brigade - Dave Shaw, Glenn Anderson, Corey Neilson – 36 minutes 56 seconds
Team Results – Three Firefighter Relay (using 9kg hose as baton)
1. Team Eastern Beach – 10 minutes 47 seconds
2. Te Awamutu Volunteer Fire Brigade A Team – 10 minutes 59 seconds
3. Auckland Airport Emergency Services – 11 minutes 30 seconds
Top Fundraisers - Brigades
1. Paihia Volunteer Fire Brigade - $16,051
2. Mossburn Volunteer Fire Brigade - $10,400
3. Cromwell Volunteer Fire Brigade - $10,250
Top Fundraisers - Individual Firefighters
1. Richard Yardley, Mosgiel - $12,000
2. Meri Hope-Cross, Waitakere- $1,345
3. Richard Noakes, East Coast Bays - $1,025
