Firefighters from around the Bay of Plenty are preparing to face an intense but different kind of heat to raise money for a cause important to them.

On Saturday March 8, between 7am and 7pm, BOP firefighters will climb the Mauao for 12 continuous hours to train for the Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge to fundraise for leukaemia and blood cancer.

“Every day, approximately eight Kiwis are diagnosed with blood cancer or a blood-related condition,” said Tauranga fire brigade’s volunteer qualified firefighter, Zhane de Mey.

De May said this diagnosis can affect anyone, at any age, and at any point in their lives.

“As firefighters, we are trained to manage extreme environments, endure hard work and quite regularly save lives where there are lives to be saved,” said de Mey.

“For the last 21 years and counting, the Sky Tower climb presents a challenge of determination and grit and will continue to be our way of showing up for those affected by leukaemia and raising much-needed funds for further research and aid.”

Open target (sidehead)

Greerton Volunteer Fire Brigade’s qualified firefighter, James Bedford, said everyone knows someone, or knows of someone, directly affected by leukaemia and blood cancers. “It’s key for us to be able to help in any way we can.”

Bedford said the team don’t have a fundraising goal for their March 8 event. “This is an open-ended target for us, [but] while there isn’t a specific goal we know that every cent counts.”

Greerton recruit Krystal Brayshaw said it’s a massive challenge for an awesome cause. “If getting out there and pushing myself to the limits can help other people struggling, then it’s a no-brainer.”

To heat up the challenge, each firefighter will be fully dressed in their firefighting gear – including a breathing apparatus.

“The operational firefighting gear we’ll be climbing in weighs 25kg, combined with breathing through a mask, and the heat trapped in our gear,” said de Mey.

This alone will make the climb incredibly challenging. “The key to pushing through is becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable. This is a mindset us firefighters remind ourselves daily with the variation of jobs we attend.”

The plan (sidehead)

To prepare, Brayshaw said, the team is climbing the Mount constantly and “making friends with the Stairmaster at the gym”.

The team have also devised how they’re going to execute the challenge. “Our plan is to have two – three people climbing up and down at one time,” said de Mey.

Alongside participating firefighters, their families and Tauranga Fire Brigade’s social club will be supporting and encouraging them. “Everyone is encouraged to climb with us and show their support as we take on this 12-hour challenge.”

Kids, families, friends and the public are invited, a fire truck will be on display and Fire and Emergency stickers and booklets will be handed out to kids. There will be donation buckets and QR codes for people to scan and donate.

Bedford said three things will keep the team motivated. Firstly, knowing that every cent helps. Secondly, knowing they can make a difference each time they run an event like this. And, thirdly, the challenge of organising and executing something like this makes it all worth it on the other side.

It’s also a great chance for neighbouring brigades to get together outside of training nights and attending jobs, said de May, with the team set to end the challenge by running straight into the ocean for a soak.