This Sundayy, 14 teams will be climbing Mauao 38 times in 12 hours to raise money for the Graeme Dingle Foundation Western Bay of Plenty in the ‘Colliers Team Everest Challenge'.

From 7am – 7pm the teams of 10 people will relay two-at-a-time up and down Mount Maunganui until 38 trips have been completed between them – the approximate height of Mount Everest.

The event has been organised by Colliers Bay of Plenty to raise money for the Foundation who support the mental fitness and development of young people across the region

'The Graeme Dingle Foundation do such fantastic work in our community. It's great to organise an event that can make a difference to youth in the Bay of Plenty and also have lots of fun along the way. Hopefully we can make this an annual event,” says Colliers Tauranga managing director Simon Clark.

This type of challenge is particularly appropriate for the Graeme Dingle Foundation whose programmes teach resilience and empower young people to overcome life's obstacles.

'Participants are not only encouraging others to support the Foundation, they're acting as role models, showing young kiwis that it's possible to overcome the challenges life might present you and achieve your goals,” says Graeme Dingle Foundation business development manager Charlotte Brown.

The cause is a worthwhile investment with every $1 invested in Graeme Dingle Foundation programmes, being the equivalent of $7.80 returned to New Zealand's economy based on the likely positive trajectory of a young person who has been involved in the Foundation's programmes.

Charlotte is grateful to the supporters coming together for the nation's youth at a critical time.

'In the past two years we've seen a new level of student disengagement and anxiety, so now more than ever it's important to get behind our cause. Events like the Colliers Team Everest Challenge, both raise much-needed funds for the Foundation's youth programmes, and raise awareness of the work we are doing. We are so grateful to everyone for their time and effort in supporting us.”

The Everest Challenge teams include ANZ, ASB Rural, PMG, PRP, CMW Geosciences, iLine, and law firms Mackenzie Elvin and Holland Beckett along with four Colliers teams (Rural, Commercial, Support and Colliers Project leaders/Gemstone Group). The Graeme Dingle Foundation also have a team embarking on the challenge.

The public are invited to join us on the day to support our teams and contribute to fundraising efforts by donating at: Team Everest Challenge 2023 - Givealittle.