Four firefighters from Arrowtown raised about $10,500 for charity after completing the Sky Tower Challenge in Auckland on Saturday.
Rob Andrews, Terry Youngman, Chris Tate and John Hillock climbed the 1029 internal steps of the Sky Tower, wearing about 27kg of firefighting clothing and breathing apparatus.
The challenge was to raise funds for the Leukaemia and Blood Foundation.
The quartet took part for their first time, along with a team from the Alexandra brigade, who raised about $14,500 with help from a Dunedin brigade, foundation executive director Pru Etcheverry said last night.
"Simon Smith, of Alexandra, came third in the `donned and started', which is where they are fully kitted out in breathing apparatus and run up the Sky Tower."
Mr Smith achieved the feat in 10 minutes and 22 seconds, she said.
A total of 426 New Zealand firefighters, with strong representation from the South Island, plus 20 other competitors, took part.
Ms Etcheverry said the total was $192,000 by last night and money was still coming in.
The total last year was $148,000.
Funds would be channelled into the foundation's core national services, in particular patient support, she said.
