Paihia defend firefighter Sky Tower challenge trophy

Paihia’s Volunteer Fire Brigade seized the fundraising trophy for the fourth consecutive year raising $15,670 and contributing to the record $140,000 raised for the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation (LBF).

Paihia participated in the Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge held at SKYCITY. They were closely followed by Auckland Airport Rescue Fire who raised $11,980 and Waipawa Fire Brigade who raised $8,793 – but once again could not be caught.

The event brings a small community together in lots of ways. “We’re really privileged to be part of the event and to lead the fundraising for four years in a row,” said Paihia firefighter Hughie Blues. “It’s good to see all the other brigades participate. There are a lot of people who know others affected by blood disorders; it’s what keeps us going.”

The 422 people competed - including 365 New Zealand firefighters and firefighters from Australia and the U.S. The 80 brigades raced up 51 flights - or 1,103 Sky Tower steps - wearing full firefighting kit and breathing apparatus weighing up to 25kg.

The award for individual fundraiser went to firefighters Andrew Gould of Plimmerton who raised $1,900 followed by Kawakawa’s Alistair Leitch who raised $1,846. Stephen Jones a General Manager at Air New Zealand brought in a whopping $7,530 for the cause.

The winner for the fastest man went to Doug Kinsella, from South Auckland who completed the race in an impressive 9 minutes 40 seconds. The fastest female was, for the second year in a row, Maree Ryan from Hutt City who finished in 14 minutes 11 seconds.

Firefighters gained sponsorship for their efforts from their communities, friends and families. The event was sponsored by SKYCITY and Auckland Airport - with all the funds raised going to the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation. The $140,000 raised smashed last year’s total of $94,000.

Pru Etcheverry, Executive Director of the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation, says, “we are very humbled by the firefighters, our community heroes, with daily acts of bravery and kindness, and on top of all, that they commit to this event year after year to fundraise and support us.

“We are delighted to be part of this event over the last six years and to see this build in both number of participants and funds raised. I am truly honoured to be associated with these incredible people.”

With a vision to cure, mission to care, the LBF supports patients and families living with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and related blood conditions. With six children and adults diagnosed each day, that support has never been more vital. “The $140,000 raised from this fantastic event is invaluable,” said Etcheverry.

Auckland Airport's CEO, Simon Moutter, who was aiming to finish in 20 minutes, finished in 15.58 said, “I have a new admiration for our firefighters and the day to day physical challenge of their job, but it is nothing compared to what people suffering with leukaemia have to endure.”

Ejaaz Dean, SKYCITY Auckland’s Executive Manager Table Games said: “We were delighted to host another successful event in the Sky Tower and congratulate everyone who completed the climb and raised money for such a worthy cause.”

The event was sponsored by SKYCITY and Auckland Airport and supported by New Zealand Fire Service, Scott Health & Safety, High Pressure Equipment, Coca-Cola, MoreFM and St. John Ambulance.

Two photographs attached:

Photo 1: Stephen Kilbler, USA Firefighter Team

Photo 2: Nikki Kaye, MP for Auckland Central and CEO of Auckland Airport Simon Moutter

WINNING RESULTS
Fastest Team Time

1. South Auckland

2. Auckland Airport Rescue Fire

3. Paihia

Relay

1. South Auckland

2. Auckland Airport Rescue Fire

3. Linton Army

Individual Female – Donned (in full firefighter gear but not breathing through breathing apparatus)

1. Lisa McCallum, Bethells Valley

2. Tara Remington, Awhitu Rural

3. Nicola Evans, Stratford

Individual Male - Donned (in full firefighter gear but not breathing through breathing apparatus)

1. Peter Cranwell, Auckland City

2. Hamish Fraser, Rangiora

3. John Ashton, Paihia

18-39 Male - Donned and Started (in full firefighter gear breathing through breathing apparatus)

1. Doug Kinsella, South Auckland

2. Paul Gerritsen, Remuera

3. Dan Van Hoppe, South Auckland

18-39 Female Donned and Started (in full firefighter gear breathing through breathing apparatus)

1. Maree Ryan, Hutt City

2. Jodie Shelman, USA

3. Georgina Shanks, Linton Army

40-54 Male Donned and Started (in full firefighter gear breathing through breathing apparatus)

1. Steven Callagher, East Coast Bays

2. Rex Wilson, Paihia

3. Stuart Graham, Auckland Airport Fire Rescue

40+ Female Donned and Started (in full firefighter gear breathing through breathing apparatus)

1. Michelle Noakes, East Coast Bays

2. Isabelle Lardeux-Gilloux, Greenhithe

3. Fiona Campbell, Waipu

50+ Male Donned and Started (in full firefighter gear breathing through breathing apparatus)

1. Richard Noakes, East Coast Bays

2. Henry Tainsh, Cooks Beach

3. Max Day, Whitianga

Top Fundraisers - Brigades

1. Paihia

2. Auckland Airport Fire Rescue

3. Waipawa Fire Brigade

Top Fundraisers - Individual Firefighters
1. Andrew Gould, Plimmerton

2. Alistair Leitch, Kawakawa

The Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge numbers:

6 children and adults in New Zealand everyday are diagnosed with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma or a related blood condition
More than 500 contacts with patients and general enquiries every month is managed by the LBF Patient Support Services team
10,000 people are living with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma or a related blood condition in New Zealand
Over $1,000 each day is the cost of providing LBF’s Support Services
51 flights of stairs in the Firefighters Sky Tower Challenge
1,103 individual steps
$140,000 raised for LBF in the 2009 Firefighters Sky Tower Challenge
Over 80 brigades.
365 firefighters representing fire brigades from around New Zealand are competing in the 2009 Challenge, including a team from Auckland Airport and Auckland Airport CEO Simon Moutter.
At 328 metres the Sky Tower is the tallest building in the southern hemisphere

MORE INFORMATION:

Leukaemia & Blood Foundation

The LBF is the only organisation in New Zealand dedicated to supporting patients and their families living with leukaemia, myeloma, lymphoma and related blood conditions.

Every day 6 children and adults in New Zealand are diagnosed with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma or a related blood condition, the equivalent of around 2,200 New Zealanders a year.

The funds raised go towards the LBF’s Support Services Programme to provide core services – patient support, information & education, awareness, advocacy and research.

-ENDS-



The following Fire Brigades and Volunteer Fire Brigades participated in the 2009 Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge: