Forty of the region’s firefighters took part in the annual Auckland Skytower Challenge on Saturday raising more than $85,000 in the process.

Representing brigades from Coromandel, Whitianga, Cooks Beach, Tairua, Waihi, Thames, Turua, Paeroa, Te Aroha, Manaia and Oceania Gold at Waihi, the firefighters completed either the 51 story or 60 story challenge.

Waihi Oceania Gold fireman Jed Moriarty did the 51-story challenge in 11 minutes and 24 seconds to finish third.

Each firefighter carried 25kg of kit during the climb.

The inaugural event was held in 2008 with $17,500 being raised for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer in New Zealand, this year $1,486,409 was raised.