Big walk to big climb

There is no challenge tough enough for Tokoroa firefighter John Goddard, who will walk more than 200 kilometres before conquering 51 flights of stairs in a 25 kilogram suit.

Goddard will walk from Tokoroa to Auckland with a friend in all-out effort to raise money for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand in the Sky Tower Stair Challenge.

‘‘ We’ll be pretty tired but there’s worse ways to get there.’’

He said they will stop at every fire station along the way to collect money.

The Sky Tower challenge requires firefighters to walk up the 1103 stairs with a 25kg firefighting kit.

‘‘I like being challenged. It’s also good to raise a bit of money for a good cause.’’

Goddard will join seven other Tokoroa firefighters annual event.

They are all training up to four times a week.

The police officer by trade has also been training six days a week in preparation for the Ironman on Saturday.

This is the second year he will have done the Sky Tower challenge and he said it was all about putting one foot in front of the other.

Chief fire officer Dave Morris won’t be doing it this year but he is all for the cause and will support his crew in their efforts.

‘‘I think it’s great, it’s a fantastic cause, ’’ Morris said.

While the rest of the brigade won’t be taking on the challenge either, he said they will all train and fundraise together.

The crew planned to fundraise until the May 23 event with raffles, hangi and car washes.

Putaruru firefighters will also be part of the event.

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