Firefighter tower race raises $862,000

Firefighters raised $862,000 for charity in the annual challenge to race to the top of Auckland's Sky Tower on Saturday.

Over 700 firefighters each carrying 25 kilograms of equipment climbed more than 1000 steps to the top of the Sky Tower to raise money for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand.

Teams from more than 180 brigades throughout the country took part in this year's event.

The charity said the $862,000 raised this year is more than double the amount it received last year when $489,000 was raised.

Josh Harrison from the Otara station in South Auckland was the fastest up the tower for the fourth year in a row with a winning time of 8 minutes and 36 seconds - shaving a second off last year's time.

And the top individual fundraiser was the Auckland Airport Rescue Fire Brigade's Tony Scott, who raised $23,656.

The airport brigade was also the overall highest fundraisers, collectively raising $87,892.

Nathan Bulmer of the Eltham Fire brigade in Taranaki said it was the second time he has competed the challenge, and the effort was worth it.

"Altogether we raised over five thousand dollars," he said. "It was an awesome day. We're a bit pooped, but well worth the effort, and it's a good cause."