Latest news with #FirefighterSkyTowerChallenge
Scoop
24-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge Raises Over $1.9 Million
Press Release – SKYCITY Auckland Today, 1,100 firefighters from 270 brigades took on the iconic Sky Tower climb, the highest number of brigades to take part in the Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge's 21-year history. Firefighters from New Zealand, Australia and Canada scaled 1,103 stairs in full firefighting gear, which weighs around 25 kilograms. The fastest time up the tower today was by Ben Smith from Auckland Airport Rescue Fire Service, who completed the climb in 8 minutes and 39 seconds. More than $1.9 million was raised for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand, supporting patients and their whānau through diagnosis, treatment and recovery. SkyCity has proudly supported and hosted the event since it began in 2005, when the first climb raised $17,500. 'The Challenge has been a huge part of our ability to expand care and cures for blood cancer patients across the country. It has united the firefighting community around our cause for more than two decades, and it's only been possible thanks to the year-on-year support from partners like SkyCity,' says Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand CEO Tim Edmonds. The event was founded by Tony Scott, who has served in both Northland and Auckland Airport Fire Rescue Service since 1988.
Scoop
24-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge Raises Over $1.9 Million
Press Release – SKYCITY Auckland More than $1.9 million was raised for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand, supporting patients and their whnau through diagnosis, treatment and recovery. SkyCity has proudly supported and hosted the event since it began in 2005, when the first climb … Today, 1,100 firefighters from 270 brigades took on the iconic Sky Tower climb, the highest number of brigades to take part in the Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge's 21-year history. Firefighters from New Zealand, Australia and Canada scaled 1,103 stairs in full firefighting gear, which weighs around 25 kilograms. The fastest time up the tower today was by Ben Smith from Auckland Airport Rescue Fire Service, who completed the climb in 8 minutes and 39 seconds. More than $1.9 million was raised for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand, supporting patients and their whānau through diagnosis, treatment and recovery. SkyCity has proudly supported and hosted the event since it began in 2005, when the first climb raised $17,500. 'The Challenge has been a huge part of our ability to expand care and cures for blood cancer patients across the country. It has united the firefighting community around our cause for more than two decades, and it's only been possible thanks to the year-on-year support from partners like SkyCity,' says Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand CEO Tim Edmonds. The event was founded by Tony Scott, who has served in both Northland and Auckland Airport Fire Rescue Service since 1988.
Scoop
24-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge Raises Over $1.9 Million
Today, 1,100 firefighters from 270 brigades took on the iconic Sky Tower climb, the highest number of brigades to take part in the Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge's 21-year history. Firefighters from New Zealand, Australia and Canada scaled 1,103 stairs in full firefighting gear, which weighs around 25 kilograms. The fastest time up the tower today was by Ben Smith from Auckland Airport Rescue Fire Service, who completed the climb in 8 minutes and 39 seconds. More than $1.9 million was raised for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand, supporting patients and their whānau through diagnosis, treatment and recovery. SkyCity has proudly supported and hosted the event since it began in 2005, when the first climb raised $17,500. 'The Challenge has been a huge part of our ability to expand care and cures for blood cancer patients across the country. It has united the firefighting community around our cause for more than two decades, and it's only been possible thanks to the year-on-year support from partners like SkyCity,' says Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand CEO Tim Edmonds. The event was founded by Tony Scott, who has served in both Northland and Auckland Airport Fire Rescue Service since 1988.
Otago Daily Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Towering challenge
Aoife Sheehan after a previous Sky Tower Challenge. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Ahead of her third Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge in Auckland this Saturday, Queenstown firey Aoife Sheehan can't wait to bust out another 1103 steps wearing about 25kg of full kit including breathing apparatus. And she's determined to register another personal best. She and Tanya Stone, back for a fourth time, are the only Queenstown brigade vollies in this 21st event which, each year, raises more than $1million for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand. The 31-year-old — who's also an airport firey and St John first responder — took about 25 minutes in her first year then about 18 minutes last year. "This year I want to get sub-16, sub-15 would be brilliant. "It's my job to be, like, fit and healthy and strong, so, yeah, it's just another marker." Sheehan's been training with a weighted vest up Bob's Peak's Tiki Trail, up the Man St carpark stairs and on a gym StairMaster. She's also got fit doing regular gut-busting combat challenges — she went to the worlds in Tennessee, in the United States, last October, with two other local fireys, and has qualified again to go to Texas, in the US, this October. The challenge is also "a really nice social event". "But then knowing we're fundraising for something that directly affects people I know, it just means the world." Participants, she says, are encouraged to raise about $1700 each. She'd got to about $900 last week ahead of a morning tea fundraiser she's putting on for fellow airport staff this week.
