The Firefighter Sky Tower Climb happened on Saturday 18th May

The Firefighter Sky Tower Climb happened on Saturday 18th May. It is an annual fundraiser for the NZ Leukaemia and Blood Cancer Foundation. In total, this year's event raised over $1.9 million. The most ever raised.

New Zealand’s Firefighters are used to extreme environments, hard work and regularly saving lives. However, in the Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge, these dedicated, strong men and women are putting in the hard yards for Kiwis going through a different kind of challenge.

Every day, 8 Kiwis are diagnosed with blood cancer or a related blood condition. It can affect anyone, at any age and any time in life. The cancer journey is overwhelmingly difficult for patients and their families/whānau.

Firefighters climb in full kit while breathing through their Breathing Apparatus together weighing 25kgs. The tower is 51 floors to the observation deck and 1103 stairs. 

Michael Ferkins from Rutherford College entered the event. Overall, he placed 45th out of 874, and 23rd in his category with a time of 12 mins 44 seconds. This is his 9th time competing in this event and his second fastest time. His fastest was back in 2014 with a time of 12 mins 24 seconds. 

Michael is a volunteer firefighter at Kumeu and has been since 2011.

Well done Michael on an impressive achievement.