Gearing up for the tower challenge
Running up and down the Kelvin Hotel’s stairwell in Invercargill will soon be part of the Riverton Fire Brigade’s training for the Firefighter Sky Tower Stair Challenge in Auckland.
The brigade, which has been sending teams to the challenge since 2011, will be represented by Elizabeth Simonka, Jeremy Raines, Bradley Jenkins and Logan Kennedy.
‘‘Going up and down the stairwell seven times is just over the number of steps in the Sky Tower [1103 steps],’’ Raines said.
The challenge is on May 19 and 950 firefighters nationwide have entered, with 30 on the waiting list. A combined Ohai-Nightcaps team and firefighters in the Tuatapere, Waikaia, Balfour, Bluff, Winton, Gore, Te Anau, Mossburn and Wallacetown brigades are also taking part.
Raines and his three team members have been doing their own fitness training in recent months for the challenge, which involves running up the tower in full firefighter gear.
Josh Harrison, from the Mount Wellington station, clocked the fastest time last year of 9 minutes 20 seconds.
The challenge is also an annual fundraiser for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand. Teams do fundraising activities before travelling to Auckland.
Last year firefighters raised $1.2 million.
The Riverton brigade’s fundraiser this year is providing first aid at the Southern Dirt Bike Riders Club events.
Raines said the challenge was a cause firefighters wanted to support.
Elizabeth Simonka, also in the Riverton brigade, is competing for the sixth year.
‘‘It’s a great cause [to fundraise for] ... and you get a sense of achievement when you get to the top of the tower,’’ Simonka said.
At 59, Peter Kennard is the oldest member of the OhaiNightcaps team and preparing for his second challenge.
Kennard has had a brother and friends die of cancer and knows people affected by it.
‘‘Anything we can do to help people [with leukaemia and cancer] we will.
‘‘The benefits of this [fundraising] will filter to these people ... some face an enormous battle.’’
The Ohai-Nightcaps team has 10 members.
Waikaia is getting behind its team with a gala fundraising day in the town on March 17. The Waikaia brigade will be attending its first challenge.