If you find a little ‘nipper' on your doorstep this week, don't worry, they won't bite.

They're out collecting for the Papamoa Surf Lifesaving Club's annual summer appeal, which is taking place until February 19.

Club administration and funding manager Celeste Moffatt says out of the three local surf lifesaving clubs, theirs has the biggest stretch of beach to cover.

'We're a charitable organisation that doesn't receive any government funding to keep our beaches safe."

The club has over 860 members, while 350 children participate in their junior surf programme every Sunday.

'We've got a really strong philosophy that if kids are engaged in surf skills and programmes, we're going to get fitter, faster lifeguards.”

Fundraising involves a bit of door-knocking from the nippers aka the junior members, who will be going around neighbourhoods with their parents, collecting donations.

Collectors will also be putting in an appearance at this Thursday's Dinner in the Domain, as well as the Little Big Markets.

Celeste says the appeal is a massively important income stream for the club, helping to ensure volunteer lifeguards have the tools and skills to help keep our community beaches safe, and to assist with the overhead expenses they do not get funding for.

'We really want to celebrate all our volunteer lifeguards who give up weekends and come and make our beaches safer.

'It's more than just putting out our hand for money though – it's also about engaging our community with the services we offer.”

Donations can also be made via collection boxes at local Papamoa businesses, or online at their Givealittle page.