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Nelson Airport’s Walk the Runway event has raised about $10,700 for Blood Cancer NZ, with thousands attending the community fundraiser on Saturday night.
The sunset runway walk returned after a break in 2025, when the event was paused to accommodate airfield construction works.
Attendees were able to access the runway after the final scheduled flight arrived, walking its full length while viewing displays from airport operators including Sounds Air, NZ Aviation Academy, Nelson Aviation College and Nelson Aero Club. The walk covered about 1.3 kilometres in each direction.
Nelson Airport head of corporate services Beth Catley says the community gave generously in support of the event’s chosen charity.
“All donations go towards supporting the entry of our airport firefighters in this year’s Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge, a major fundraiser for Blood Cancer NZ,” Beth says.
She says this total included a $1000 donation from Bayleys Nelson.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the support of Bayleys and everyone who came along and made a donation on the night,” Beth says.
Beth says attendees also appreciated the opportunity to see a different side of airport operations and learn more about the aircraft and activity based at Nelson Airport.
Airport firefighter Alec Hampson attended the event wearing his full firefighting kit to demonstrate the gear required for the Sky Tower Challenge, which involves climbing 51 flights of stairs, a total of 328 metres.
“People were pretty interested in how much gear we have to wear,” Alec says. “It weighs about 25 kilograms all up, so it makes the climb a big challenge and I’ll be putting in plenty of training to make sure I’m ready.”
The Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge will take place on Saturday, May 23, 2026.
