A Queenstown firefighter who was unable to walk after being struck by a rare auto-immune disease has just completed the Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge.
The annual event invites firefighters to walk the 1156 stairs of the Sky Tower, whilst kitted out in full firefighter gear.
Gavin Mason raced up the stairs to raise money for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand.
He was one of the fastest competitors last year but two weeks after the event, he could barely stand up after being attacked by a rare disease.
"I was hospitalised with Guillan-Barre Syndrome. I found it difficult to walk up one step let alone a flight of 1156," he told Newshub.
The disease attacks the nervous system, causing muscle weakness.
This is the third time Mr Mason has completed the challenge along with hundreds of other firefighters and for the first time ever, a dog.
This year, teams raised more than a $1 million from the event - something they'll all be celebrating.
Newshub.
