Tauranga Intermediate School is well on the way to its goal of raising $60,000 from its primary fundraiser of the year, the Ultimate Relay.

All 1300 students have helped in today's effort, running laps of the 650 metre course set up around the perimeter of the school grounds. Between them they are targeting a total distance of 3000 km.

The money raised goes to support Ngamuwahine Lodge, the outdoor education facility on the border of the Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park owned by the school through a trust, says Acting Deputy Principal Karen Mills.

'And we make a donation every year to a charity,” she says. 'This year it's going to the rescue helicopter.”

Karen is confident the target will be reached.

It's all about fun. Sam Clode and Sara Esterman dressed up for the event.

'As of this morning we were about $54,000, we'll probably hit it because we've got to put in our fundraising from the food, plus various other things like raffles that have been going around.”

Students are encouraged to make it a fun day, dressing in costume and supporting eachother to cover as much ground as they can.

The leading runners are expected to do up to 10 laps, or around 6.5 km. The year seven students had their turn this morning, covering 1425 km, and this afternoon the year eights were well on track to better the goal of 3000 km.

All the school's students take part in the relay, scoring points for their houses.

'Our slogan is Go for Gold,” says Karen.

'The whole school gets involved in a day like this.”

She says the money will be used for upgrading the facilities and getting new equipment in at Ngamuwahine Lodge, which is used for student camps by a number of schools in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato areas.

'Every year there's something that needs to be done to keep the facility tip top and give all the kids the best opportunities.”

The school's head of outdoor education Gerry Hart says the annual Ultimate Relay has been an incredibly successful fundraiser.

'Over the years we've probably raised half a million, just from this event.”

The school has just added a ‘pretty impressive' new ropes adventure course to the Ngamuwahine Lodge, Gerry says, which will further enhance the experience of the camp for the students.

'It's pretty important these days that kids get outside, eh?” he says. 'Get away from the devices.”

Members of Te Whanau o Te Maro, Tauranga Intermediate's bilingual unit.