Casino boss plans tough climb for charity

Personal trainer Lee-Anne Wann has been helping SkyCity chief executive Nigel Morrison prepare for the SkyCity Firefighters Stair Challenge. Photo / Dean Purcell

SkyCity's big boss has been up the Sky Tower dozens of times, but has never tried the stairs - until now.

Chief executive Nigel Morrison is getting ready to take on the tower's 51 flights of stairs in this year's Firefighter Sky Tower Stair Challenge.

Celebrating its 11th birthday next week, the event will see 750 firefighters from around the country run up 1103 steps to raise money for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer NZ.

Mr Morrison has signed up to join the crowds alongside personal fitness trainer Lee-Anne Wann, who has been helping him change to a healthier lifestyle since late last year.

"It's a good cause and an important cause. Thanks to Lee-Anne, I'm in better shape than I've been in the last eight years. So if I'm gonna do it, it has to be now."

He said cutting out sugar, carbs and his favourite meal - pasta - would no doubt help him get to the top faster. "For me, it's not about time. It's about making it. If I get under 20 minutes, I'll be really happy.

"My strategy will be to go slow and finish hard. But it might be go slow and go slow," he laughed.

Firefighters from 180 brigades and stations from around the country are participating and each person will be suited up in full firefighting gear, weighing 25kg.

More than $915,000 was raised last year.

Leukaemia & Blood Cancer NZ chief Pru Etcheverry said the fundraiser was a huge boost for the organisation and praised fire crews for their support over the years.

"We love their enthusiasm and are deeply appreciative of their dedication and support," she said.

Help support Nigel Morrison in his fundraising efforts.