- Porirua based firefighters, from left clockwise, Kurt Walsh, Robbie MacInarlin, Glenn Henderson, Paul Setefano and Carl Gardiner willbe taking on the punishing Sky Tower Challenge in May to fundraise for te Leukaemia and Blood Foundation.
A group of firefighters from Porirua will take on the energy-sapping Sky Tower Challenge next month but admit preparing for the event is nigh-on impossible.
Four members from Titahi Bay’s volunteer brigade – Kurt Walsh, Robbie MacInarlin, Glenn Henderson and Carl Gardiner – along with Porirua station’s Paul Setefano, will tackle the daunting physical and mental challenge on May 21. It’s for a good cause, with fundraising efforts prior to the big day going towards the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation.
More than 420 firefighters from across the country will climb 51 flights of stairs, or 1103 steps, in full gear that includes 25 kilograms of equipment on their backs. There are no prizes, with bragging rights reward enough.
The Titahi Bay lads have been training extra hard in the gym since January. Mr Gardiner says they will represent their brigade proudly and are looking forward to rubbing shoulders with their peers from across the country, and the overseas competitors that come for the event.
“We’re going to try and set some good times, but I think it’s going to be an accomplishment just to finish,” Mr Gardiner says. “Really, the challenge is about raising awareness for the foundation and that awesome feeling we’ll get from taking part. We’re a group of mates who are doing something for a great cause.”
A time of 15 minutes is considered excellent and it’s what he is aiming for. Each member might have their own strategy, but “sure and steady” rather than going hard early seems popular.
Mr Gardiner says there has been “no way” they can prepare for the gruelling climb, aside from doing extra weights and climbing stairs in their gear when possible. It has been a great focus for them in terms of keeping fit.
Mr Setefano will be taking part for the second year, joining a group from the Newlands Volunteer Fire Brigade. The 43-year-old wants to beat his time from last year – just over 20 minutes and is dedicating his efforts to the memory of Kurt Filiga. The aspiring film-maker documented his battle with leukaemia before he passed away last year.
Mr Setefano wants to raise $1500, while the Titahi Bay crew have so far collected $2500 in donations and sponsorship and would love to double it before May 21. They have a car wash in the Spotlight car park in Porirua this Saturday from 11am to 2pm.
To make a donation online, go to firefightersclimb.org.nz
All funds raised from the challenge will go to core services for the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation – patient support, research, information, awareness and advocacy. Every day six children and adults in New Zealand are diagnosed with a blood cancer such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma. An estimated 10,000 people live with blood cancer or a related condition in New Zealand.
– Kapi-Mana News – BY KRIS DANDO
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