Firefighters participating in a charitable endeavor
Six brave firefighters from the Manawatu region are gearing up for a challenging two-day, 30km crossing of the Ruahine Ranges. The team, consisting of Dan Coleman, Andrew Morton, Tim Field, Scott Wilson, Tony McIntyre, and Daniel Stack, hail from the local brigades of Rangiwahia, Kimbolton, and Apiti.
The crew is preparing to cross the Ruahine Ranges from east to west, with a trial run completed earlier this month. Solid planning has gone into the expedition, with support from Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) and the Department of Conservation (DOC).
The firefighters will carry their own food, water, and essential gear. Each will also carry a bivvy bag, first aid kit, PLB, and a DOC radio, with some carrying GPS devices. Cellphones can be used along most of the route due to reception. To keep up with the team's trip or donate, click here.
The first challenge will be to see who can withstand the longest with their breathing masks on as they head into the bush. The crew will wear 26kg firefighting kits, including breathing apparatus.
A safety person will accompany the crew to make decisions and carry extra emergency equipment. The track climbs to nearly 1700m above sea level and is mainly a DOC track. The team had originally planned to participate in the annual Sky Tower Challenge, but it was uncertain due to Covid-19, so they created their own challenge.
The fundraising event is for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer NZ. The crew is hoping for good weather over the weekend but has a postponement date. The team aims to raise $10,000 for the charity.
The donation from these six firefighters comes from a thorough two-day hiking tour of the Ruahine Ranges they undertook over the weekend. The trial run allowed the crew to make changes to their GPS-mapped route and safety planning, including taking a safety person.
The crew's determination and spirit have been commendable. Their selfless act of fundraising for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer NZ is a testament to their commitment to helping others. We wish them the best of luck for their upcoming challenge and hope they reach their fundraising goal.
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