The Firefighter stair challenge is a 1,103 step (or 51 flights) climb up the Sky Tower in Auckland, the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere. The challenge attracts firefighters with big hearts and strong legs from across the globe.
“There were firefighters from as far away as New York City, and Australia taking part this year,” said Todd.
The fundraising event raises much-needed capital for the Leukemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand, a national charity, which has raised over $1M since its inception three years ago.
Fully kitted out with 25kg of safety gear, Todd managed the climb in 18 minutes, Wayne managed an even more amazing time of just 12 minutes 54 seconds.
“You get halfway through and think ‘I’m not going to make it’, but you keep going,” recalls Todd who said the feeling of accomplishment, for both him personally and the charity beneficiaries, makes it all worthwhile.
The organisers aim to raise $2,500 per firefighter, but the Ray White guys exceeded expectations, with Todd bringing in $5,000 and Wayne (including his auction proceeds) a remarkable $13,780.
Combined, all the teams managed to raise a sensational $1.3M for Leukemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand.
Will they be there again in 2020?
“Absolutely,” says Todd
“100 per cent!” says Wayne.
