Dozens of Northland firefighters will don 25kg of firefighting kits today to climb 1103 steps in the annual Firefighter Sky Tower Stair Challenge. Back for its 18th consecutive year, this year's challenge promises to be the best yet. The event is the brainchild of Tony Scott who has been part of both Northland and Auckland Airport Fire Rescue Service since 1988. It raised $17,500 in 2005, its first year, and it now consistently raises over $1 million annually. This year one very notable participant doing his 16th climb is Jim Snedden, an 80-year-old veteran volunteer firefighter from Waiuku who has raised over $22,500. There are 918 people participating - including overseas participants from Australia and the United States - and dozens of Northland firefighters who will climb 1103 steps, 51 flights of stairs up 328 metres laden with 25kg of firefighting kits for the challenge. There 910 are firefighters (including volunteers), eight are non-firefighters - known as Squad 51 - ambassadors and supporters, including people whose lives have been impacted by blood cancer themselves or by a loved one's blood cancer diagnosis.
Fashion awards
The Bernina Northland Fashion Awards' matinee and evening shows is on in Whangārei tonight after a two year Covid-induced hiatus. The prestigious awards showcase creative designer talent of all ages, stages and abilities. This year, there will be nine categories; Sewing: Pasifika Fashion, Student Formal Wear, Open Formal Wear, Student Casual Wear, Open Casual Wear and Wearable Art: Student Wearable Art, Open Wearable Art, Cosplay and Masquerade (up to Year 8 only). Each category has cash prizes provided by sponsors of the event. The Overall Designer of the Year will win a Bernette b64 Air Thread Overlocker retailing at $1999 sponsored by Bernina Northland, while the Top Model will win a photography package sponsored by Sarah Marshall Photography. The matinee show is at Forum North starts at 2pm and the evening show at 7pm. For more details go to https://northlandfashionawards.org.nz/
Artist joins exhibition
Far North artist Denise Batchelor is among artists whose work is featuring in an exhibition at City Gallery Wellington from September 3. Batchelor is a visual artist working primarily in digital media. At Thresholds will showcase work that contemplates how art can increase awareness of living with Earth's non-human cohabitants, including fungi, plants and animals. The show, which is free and runs until December 4, aims to provoke conversations around climate change and the importance of understanding different life forms to aid in the survival of all species.
