Training for Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge

Some kaimahi and ākonga got a surprise to see two firefighters getting fully kitted up in The Hub recentlly, including strapping on air tanks and masks.

Rest assured, there was no emergency on campus. The two staff members were simply getting in some training ahead of the Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge in Auckland in late May.

Brian Freeman (a lecturer with the Electrical pre-trade programme) and Daryl Hanna (an IT trainer with Information Systems and Support) are both members of the Brighton Volunteer Fire Brigade, and are tackling the challenge to raise money for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand.

You can pledge your support for Brian & Daryl and see how they’re tracking at Brighton Volunteer Fire Brigade’s official Sky Tower Challenge page.

It’s the biggest fundraiser of the year for LBC, and will see 1,100 firefighters from across New Zealand and overseas lining up to climb 1,100 stairs (51 floors) of the Auckland Sky Tower building on Saturday 24 May.

Brian and Daryl have chosen the option of running up all 51 flights of stairs while wearing full gear, mask, and breathing apparatus (weighing 25kgs all-up).

They’ve both tackled the challenge multiple times before, but Daryl admits it doesn’t get any easier.

“It’s ridiculously difficult. Forcing ourselves to get up there against the clock, but we know why we’re doing it, it’s a good reason.”

The pair are funding the travel and accommodation costs themselves, ensuring all money raised goes towards helping Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand.

“It’s a great organisation which supports Kiwis living with blood cancer, while also doing research to try and find a cure,” says Brian.

They’ve been making the most of the finer weather, keeping fit and active alongside regular gym sessions.

“We do train for quite a few weeks beforehand. It’s not the sort of thing you want to turn up and just do on the day,” says Brian.

“We've been out in Brighton walking around the roads, getting used to the claustrophobic feel of the mask and other issues.”

Brian and Daryl are both “veterans” with the Brighton Volunteer Fire Brigade and will be joined in Auckland by two of their other younger brigade members.