Southern firefighters step up to challenge

Forty-five southern firefighters, from Waitaki south, are pictured with the Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand chief executive, Pru Etcheverry (front, second from left), and event organiser, Auckland Airport firefighter Tony Scott (front, centre) at the Sky Tower Stair Challenge prizegiving at Auckland on Saturday night. Waitahuna firefighter Daniel Wark is pictured front left, in the second row. He received a trophy for raising the second-highest individual total. Photo by Frances Oliver Photography.

The event, which is in its 10th year, raises money for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand.

More than $864,090 was donated to the cause this year by the 700 firefighters who competed. Alexandra Deputy Chief Fire Officer Mark Hutton said the southern contingent of more than 50 firefighters from 14 brigades, from Waitaki south, was the largest number that had ever taken part from the region.

As a result of the fundraising, a second support person role has been established in Christchurch by the Leukaemia and Blood Cancer group, to support patients and families throughout the South Island.

''So people can see that the funds raised in our area by southern firefighters end up being used here,'' Mr Hutton said. Waitahuna Volunteer Fire Brigade firefighter Daniel Wark received a trophy for raising the second-highest individual amount, of $7414.

The overall winner of this year's event was Josh Harrison (Otara Station, Auckland), who raced up the 1103 stairs, in full firefighting kit, which weighs 25kg, in 8min 36sec.

Glen Thurston, of Wanaka, was fifth overall in the open donned and started men's section, with a time of 10min 18sec, and the fastest South Island competitor Gabbie Ernst, of Frankton, won the women's open donned and started section, in 14min 29sec.

Mosgiel and other Dunedin firefighters also made an ''absolutely superb'' contribution to the Challenge. That was the view of Mosgiel firefighter Richard Yardley, who co-ordinated the efforts of the three Mosgiel firefighter participants.

The others were Andrew McAuley and Scott Lindsay. Fire Service fire investigator Michael Harrison, of Dunedin, also took part in the Saturday event.

Mr Yardley (63), who had previously taken part in the challenge four times, said there had been an ''amazing'' response from participants and their supporters and he was delighted with the $5864 which had been raised for the charity by the Mosgiel-based trio.

For several years he had been the only Mosgiel firefighter taking part, and was pleased several colleagues from Dunedin and Mosgiel had joined him this year.