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A team of seven firefighters from the Mahurangi East Volunteer Fire Brigade is preparing to take on the gruelling Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge next month, raising vital funds for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand.
The annual event highlights the ongoing impact of blood cancers across the country, with eight New Zealanders diagnosed every day. The disease affects people of all ages, backgrounds and communities, placing significant strain not only on patients but also on their families and wider whānau.
The Sky Tower Challenge has become one of the country’s most significant fundraising events.
Participants raised a shade under $2 million last year, with the top team contributing $61,000 and the highest individual fundraiser bringing in just over $12,000.
This year, Mahurangi East brigade members will make the climb up 1103 steps under full firefighting conditions. They complete the ascent “donned and started,” which means they will compete while wearing and actively using a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus.
In preparation, the team has been training rigorously, including regular runs and stair climbs at Highfield Reserve.
The Sky Tower Challenge will be held on Saturday May 23.
To support the Mahurangi East team, donate at https://firefighterschallenge.org.nz/t/2026-mahurangi-east-volunteer-fire-brigade
