Ten firefighters from the Manly Volunteer Fire Brigade successfully competed in the Skytower Challenge last weekend.

They were amongst 1,000 other firefighters from around the country who climbed more than 1,100 steps – with full gear on – to raise much-needed funds for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer NZ. 

According to Craig Mcdonald, chief fire officer at the station, half of the local crew were first-time climbers, and they all climbed the gruelling 51 floors wearing their full gear, which is an extra 25kgs. 

The crew are Jarrod Oberto, Shaun Gartland, Russell White, Jade Wickman, Janette Baird, Ben Burnett, Steven Henshaw, Deon Holgate, Nathan Glen and Paige McDonald.

Two of the crew, Nathan and Deon, completed the Man of Steel challenge, where they had to walk an extra ten floors wearing additional gear - an old steel cylinder, which added an extra 5kgs to the already-laden 25kg weight.

Some of the local crew members competed in the Donned and Started sections too. 

The Donned is when a firefighter has to wear full gear and breathe through a breathing apparatus but without a mask. 

The Started is wearing full gear, the breathing apparatus and wearing a mask.

Craig is very proud of his crew and is thrilled that his team did so well to raise $7,351 for the cancer organisation. 

Just over $1.5m was raised for the organisation, which is fantastic, as they receive very little government funding. 

The community can still contribute to this great cause. 

Open your hearts, and wallets, and go to firefighterschallenge.org.nz/manlyskywalkers to contribute. 

It’s simple, fast and totally secure and once you donate, the organisation will email you a tax-deductible receipt.