Firefighters lay down the chips to help save lives

On Wednesday 19 May, 60 firefighters from around Auckland and the United States will be hitting the tables of SKYCITY Poker at the SKYCITY Auckland Casino to help raise money at the second annual Sky Tower Firefighter Challenge Poker Tournament.

Crews from around Auckland and the US will be playing for the title of 2010 champion as part of the Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge fundraising efforts.

SKYCITY Auckland’s General Manager Casino Operations, Ejaaz Dean said, “It’s great to be able to help raise money for these deserving charities by holding a fun and unique event. SKYCITY Auckland is the Home of New Zealand Poker and is delighted to be getting behind the firefighters and the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation.”

Last year’s winner, Gareth Wallis, from Greenhithe fire station is returning to the tables to defend his title.

SKYCITY Auckland is a proud sponsor of the Sky Tower Firefighter Challenge which will be held on Saturday 22 May. In 2009, 365 New Zealand firefighters and firefighters from Australia and the United States raced up 51 flights - or 1,103 Sky Tower steps - wearing full fire-fighting kit and breathing apparatus weighing up to 25kg.

The winner for the fastest man in 2009 went to Doug Kinsella, from South Auckland who completed the race in an impressive nine minutes 40 seconds. The fastest female in 2009 was, for the second year in a row, Maree Ryan from Hutt City who finished in 14 minutes 11 seconds.

For more information on the Sky Tower Firefighter Challenge see www.firefightersclimb.org.nz