Stepping up for Skytower Challenge

Volunteer firefighters from around the Mahurangi and Kaipara districts will converge on Auckland this Saturday, May 18, for the annual Skytower Challenge, raising funds to fight Leukaemia and Blood Cancer.

The challenge involves the firefighters wearing 25kg of uniform and equipment, and negotiating 51 flights/1103 stairs.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the event and around 1000 firefighters are expected to participate on the day. Already the event has raised more than $1.1 million.

Warkworth is fielding one of the largest teams, with eight firefighters spending several months preparing for the event. Taking part will be Holly Woodall, John Haurua, Owen Mörning, Quinton Grindle, Simon Manawaiti, Simon Morris, Dan Auber and Bros Ly.

The event is of particular significance to the Warkworth brigade having lost one of their own, Gavin Noyer, to leukaemia in August 2022.

The Warkworth sponsorship site can be found here:
https://firefighterschallenge.org.nz/t/warkworth-volunteer-fire-brigade

A team of six will compete from the Leigh Volunteer Fire Brigade – Martin Lefley (captain), Campbell Aley, Carmel and Mark Simmonds, Leandro D’Andrea and Malcolm Allen. The Leigh fundraising page can be found at: https://firefighterschallenge.org.nz/t/leigh-volunteer-fire-brigade.

The Wellsford team of five will be led by Trent Jones. The team includes Caleb Gamble, Dani Marshall, Martyn Ecroyd and Mitch Ken; and their fundraising page can be found at: https://firefighterschallenge.org.nz/t/wellsford-volunteer-fire-brigade

Puhoi will be represented by Jared Rehm (captain), Celeste Koch, Liam Wilson, Malec Odendall, Noe Santiago and Tony Cook. Support them here: https://firefighterschallenge.org.nz/t/puhoi-volunteer-fire-brigade

The Mangawhai team will be led by Michael Hayward, and includes Aiden Cameron, Ben Walker, Graham Kerrigan, Hamish Townshend and Kyle McLeod. Their fundraising page can be found here: https://firefighterschallenge.org.nz/t/mangawhai-volunteer-fire-brigade

Lish Reynolds will lead the Kaiwaka Volunteer Fire Brigade team, alongside teammates Keith Mills, Kraig Steiner, Richard Godsmith and Tim Brown. To donate go to: https://firefighterschallenge.org.nz/t/kaiwaka-volunteer-fire-brigade

Maungaturoto firefighter Glen Orford’s fundraising page can be found here: https://firefighterschallenge.org.nz/t/maungaturoto-volunteer-fire-brigade

Also participating will be Matakana firefighter Ben Pringle.