Lake Okareka Fire Force
  • Home
  • History
    • Okareka Fire Appliances
  • Info
    • Fire Restrictions & Permits
    • Safe Winter Driving
    • Smoke Alarms
    • GoodSAM
  • Volunteers
    • Committee
    • Volunteering
    • NZQA Qualifications
    • Study Guides
  • Incidents
    • 2021 - 2025
    • 2016 - 2020
    • 2011 - 2015
    • 2004 - 2010
  • Photos
  • Video
  • YES
  • Media
    • LOCA Articles
  • Donate
    • Sponsors
    • Supporters
    • Fire Station Project
  • Contact
    • Lake Okareka

Rotorua Firefighters Climb For A Cause

13/4/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Conquering 51 flights of stairs while dressed in 25kgs of kit, two Rotorua Airport fire fighters will be taking on the Sky Tower Stair Challenge to raise money for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand.

The annual Sky Tower Stair Challenge, taking place on May 28, sees 850 firefighters from across New Zealand, Australia and the United States come together to tackle the 1103 steps of Auckland's Sky Tower, with a goal to raise $850,000 for the charity.

Rotorua Airport fire fighter Quentin Hamilton is taking on the challenge for the first time with team mate Jeffrey Hall. He said his inspiration came from his experience with the disease. "Like a lot of people in New Zealand, cancer has affected members of both mine and Jeffrey's families in some way. "The Sky Tower Stair Challenge is an awesome way to raise awareness of the cause and give back a little bit.

"Each day, six New Zealanders are diagnosed with blood cancer and Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand is a charity that gives awesome support to patients and families - it's also a charity that receives no Government funding so we're aiming to raise $3000 as a team through the challenge," Mr Hamilton said.

Chasing the donned category record for wearing full kit (no mask), currently held by the Lake Okareka Volunteer Rural Fire Force, the Rotorua Airport 'Vegas Boys' team are in full training mode to ensure they're over prepared. "While I'm really excited for the challenge, I'm also a little daunted as I just don't know what to expect on the day - on top of our usual airport training, Jeffery and I have been running in the Redwoods and tackling the Novotel's stairs with our full kit on to get as fit as possible.

"On the day, the real challenge will be contending with the heat of the stairwell and also getting fresh air into our lungs, as we won't be using oxygen masks." In between grueling training sessions, the Vegas Boys have been raising funds through firewood sales, raffles and barbecues, as well as collections at Bike the Runway and in the airport terminal. "We're already getting close to our target, so at this rate we're going to smash our goal - it's a really good feeling."

Rotorua Airport chief executive Nicole Brewer said the airport was proud of the Vegas Boys' commitment to the challenge "The effort the boys have put into their training and fundraising has been impressive. It's been great to see the airport community and wider Rotorua community support the team and it has created a real sense of camaraderie.

There will also be a team of seven fire fighters from the Ngongotaha Volunteer Fire Brigade, a team of eight from the Lake Okareka Volunteer Fire Brigade and a group of two from the Rotorua Fire Brigade competing in the challenge.

​Support the Vegas Boys by buying a sausage at Bunnings Warehouse this Sunday, or visit www.firefightersclimb.org.nz/Donate to donate online.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    December 2020
    October 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    September 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    September 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    October 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    October 2010
    December 2009
    June 2009
    January 2007
    April 2006
    January 2005

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.