How One Kiwi Firefighter Quietly Raised $20,000,000
Episode Description
Today’s guest is one of those people who quietly makes New Zealand a better place.
Tony Scott (aka Scottie) has spent more than 30 years in the fire service.
And chances are, even if you don’t know his name, you’ve seen the impact of his work.
Scottie is the man behind the Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge: the iconic annual event where firefighters climb 1,103 steps in full gear to raise money for Blood Cancer New Zealand.
What started as a small idea with a handful of firefighters has now raised almost 20 million dollars for Kiwis battling cancers. And this episode is being released to coincide with the 21st anniversary of this iconic Kiwi fundraiser, as well as the sky tower challenge.
We find out who Scotty is – his early years, the stutter he had to overcome to get the job of his dreams, the emotional toll of recovering bodies and saving lives, his reaction when he was awarded a Kings service medal and much more.
After spending a couple of hours with Scottie, you discover pretty quickly that this isn’t about publicity or recognition for him.
He’s just one of those genuinely good humans who gets a lot of fulfilment out of helping other people.
There’s a lot of heart in this episode.
This is Tony Scott – Scottie.
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Brief Summary
Tony Scott discusses his firefighting career, overcoming challenges, and the Sky Tower Challenge fundraising event.
Key points
- Overcoming Adversity. A life-changing accident leads to a journey of resilience and purpose.
- A Lifelong Dream. From a troubled youth to a dedicated firefighter, passion drives the journey.
- Overcoming Stuttering. The speaker shares their journey from severe stuttering to public speaking.
- Mental Health in First Responders. The importance of talking about mental health and seeking help is emphasized.
- A Day at the Office. Navigating emotional barriers after a tough day at work.
- Saving Lives. The emotional high of saving someone’s life and the bond it creates.
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Episode highlights
- A Lifelong DreamFrom a troubled youth to a dedicated firefighter, passion drives the journey.“If I could do my career all over again, I'd 100% do it again.”13:32May 19, 2026
- Overcoming StutteringThe speaker shares their journey from severe stuttering to public speaking.“It’s been one of my biggest achievements personally.”19:42May 19, 2026
- Mental Health in First RespondersThe importance of talking about mental health and seeking help is emphasized.“You need to talk to professionals. It’s important.”29:20May 19, 2026
- A Day at the OfficeNavigating emotional barriers after a tough day at work.“When she asks how your day was, you just go, 'Yeah, good.'”34:05May 19, 2026
- Saving LivesThe emotional high of saving someone’s life and the bond it creates.“It's a real buzz, you know, and that lasts a while.”48:03May 19, 2026
- Life-Saving Defibrillator StoryA defibrillator saved a man's life, showcasing the impact of being in the right place.“Wow, look about, you know, little lucky being in the right place at the right time.”51:20May 19, 2026
- Sky Tower Challenge SuccessThe Sky Tower challenge has grown immensely, raising millions for blood cancer research.“Never ever did I ever think that I would create an event that would raise a million dollars.”58:41May 19, 2026
- Inspiring Stories from the CommunityA heartfelt moment shared with a cancer patient highlights the impact of fundraising efforts.“It's just like wow, you know?”1:07:35May 19, 2026





