'More money than could be imagined” has been raised for Tauranga children today as 26 city leaders took one for the team – dropping off the side of a five-storey building.

Hundreds of spectators watched as bosses, councillors, politicians and the like, strapped on harnesses and abseiled down Regional House on Elizabeth Street.

Parent to Parent Coastal BOP coordinator Karen Williams.

Each participant has been raising funds for the Foundation for Youth Development in the lead-up to today – with the total surpassing the $20,000 goal.

FYD regional manager Dan Allen-Gordon says Drop Your Boss raised more money than he could have imagined.

'We have gotten over the $20k mark. That was always the goal, but a week ago I thought we might get half way there.

'It's just incredible, today couldn't have gone any better.”

Dan says while there were many nervous participants, nobody was scared enough to halt proceedings.

'They are all just really courageous people. They have nothing to prove, and they have gone out of their way to step outside their comfort zones to help these kids.”

Money raised will go towards Tauranga children involved in the foundation's Kiwi Can and Project K programmes.

Kiwi Can and Project K are programmes aimed at improving relationships and building capacity for children, their families and their communities long term.

Those dropped include Classic Hits presenter Will Johnston, Tauranga deputy mayor Kelvin Clout, TCC councilor Matt Cowley, Tauranga MP Simon Bridges, Holland Beckett partner Bill Holland, Dave Gillies from Z Energy and Otumoetai College principal Dave Randall.

Click here to see a full list of volunteers and to donate.