Papamoa brigade fight more than just fires

Aaron Offenbaker, Pat Wilson and Steve White stop for a break during their Papamoa Hills training run. Photo: supplied.

The Papamoa Volunteer Fire Brigade team training to take part in the grueling Firefighters Sky Tower Challenge is easy to spot. They're the ones hiking the Papamoa Hills in full breathing apparatus.

'You get a few funny looks,” laughs team captain Pat Wilson. 'But it's keeping our crew fit and fundraising for a great cause.”

Seven members of the Papamoa Volunteer Fire Brigade will climb 51 flights up Auckland's iconic tower on August 20 to raise money for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand.

For team captain, Pat Wilson, it's the ninth time he'll compete.

'Everything about it is pretty tough. It's a real gutbuster. I'm running it wearing full firefighter kit that weighs between 25kg and 30kg – and that includes breathing apparatus, so I'll have a mask over my face.”

It is a race to the top, but for Pat, it's not about speed.

'Anything under 15 minutes is considered a good time. My best time is 11:52,” says Pat. 'It's legs and lungs and heat.

'The firefighter's kit is really good at keeping heat out but it also keeps heat in so it is a true challenge. The hardest point for me is between the 15th and 17th floors because you're already tired and then you see you're not even halfway. You just have to dig in and carry on.”

It will be the first time running the 1103 steps for at least two of the team.

'I tell them don't go too hard too fast,” says Pat. 'The really fit guys do it in under 10 minutes but my advice for first-timers is to take your time.”

The Papamoa Volunteer Fire Brigade team aims to raise $10,500 for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand. Every day, seven children and adults in New Zealand are diagnosed with a blood cancer and LBC supports patients and their families.

'The focus is really on raising money for a good cause. It's a huge fundraiser for a charity that gets very little government funding and it's just phenomenal what firefighters from around the country can do.

'In just one weekend shaking buckets at Papamoa Plaza, we raised more than $1700. In these times, that's absolutely amazing. We even had people emptying the coins out of their purse. Every cent helps.”

For some of the Papamoa team, raising money for the charity has a personal significance.

'It's really humbling when you're at the event to see the number of firefighters who wear photos of their loved ones who have blood cancer.

'It affects so many people and that's why we keep going back and raising money. The support we have from the community gives us so much pride. We're just blown away by the generosity of our locals.”

To donate, visit: https://firefighterschallenge.org.nz/t/papamoavolunteerfirebrigade

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