Helmets dedicated to cancer patients worn by climbing firefighters

Firefighters geared up to climb 51 floors of the Sky Tower on Saturday wearing helmets inspired by blood cancer patients.

Participants in the Firefighter Sky Tower Stair Challenge have raised a record $1,161,120 so far for the New Zealand Leukaemia and Blood Cancer Foundation (LBC).

Eight hundred and fifty firefighters across New Zealand participated in the challenge, many adorned with photos of people affected by cancer whom the climb was dedicated to.

Firefighters had their helmets decorated by kids affected by cancer and sported images of those in their community affected by blood cancer. Photo: Millie McCaughan

Members of Team Waipu wore helmets of gold, painted by a little boy in their town affected by leukaemia.

The team climbed to raise funds for seven-year-old Barclay Morunga’s treatments and rehabilitation, said Waipu team leader and firefighter, Laura Andrews.

She said they were also inspired by Sandra Boggart, an influential woman in the community who passed away suddenly from blood cancer last year.

“The climb started out as a bit of a challenge for us, but now it’s become real personal,” said Ms Andrews.

So far the Waipu Fire Brigade has raised over $10,000 from a number of fundraisers, but a scrap metal drive was their biggest, said Ms Andrews.

“We leave a scrap bin outside the front of the fire station and the whole town comes and puts in.”

Many firefighters dressed up and a photo dedication wall was erected at the bottom of the Sky Tower with images of people firefighters had dedicated their climb to. Photo: Millie McCaughan

All funds raised at the event go to core services the LBC provides, including personalised patient support, said Danae Short, communications executive for LBC New Zealand.

Since the first stair challenge event, LBC has grown from one to nine healthcare trained support service coordinators in New Zealand.

Ms Short said a lot of the firefighters get to see the impact the money has on those affected by blood cancer.

“It’s a really nice full circle for them to see their fundraising actually go straight back to their community.”

Event founder and Auckland Airport Fire Service team member, Tony Scott, believes it is special that the whole country raised money, and that the funds will benefit everyone, not just those in Auckland.

“We have made a difference, you wonder if you raised all that money and nothing to show for it, but that’s not the case at all.”

Kahlia Scott from Kawakawa climbed in memory of her uncle and in the hope of her niece, with photos attached to her gear, so they would be there climbing with her. Photo: Millie McCaughan