The More FM Mount Everest Challenge kicked off on Friday night with a group ‘walk for support' event.

About 40 people, including a team from Riding for the Disabled, gathered outside the Mount Surf Club to start the first climb of the seven-week challenge.

Meeting at 5pm, the group set off at 5.30pm, just as a light shower of rain came through the area. The rain settled into a steady downpour over the following hour, but participants were motivated to complete the first climb.

This is the fifth year that the Mount Everest Challenge has been running. The challenge requires participants to climb up and down Mauao 38 times in 50 days as an individual or as a team. The organisers say it is equivalent to climbing Mount Everest.

In 2018, more than $121,000 was raised for Waipuna Hospice. This year Tauranga Riding for the Disabled, which focuses on equestrian therapy, will be receiving the funds raised through the event.

'This is extremely great for Tauranga Riding for the Disabled,” says Kaasandra Chee from Tauranga Riding for the Disabled. ”We're really looking forward to the next seven weeks of climbing. My friend and I are going up tonight, and we have the Riding for the Disabled team here too, the coaches and some of our volunteers.”

Kaasandra Chee from Tauranga Riding for the Disabled

So far, over the five years, over $350,000 has been raised for local charities.

'Each and every year we have a growing list of local businesses who offer discounts for those taking part in the charity,” says Jonelle Baxter, promotions manager for More FM. ''The first one this year is Smiths Sport Shoes with 15 per cent off for participants.”

More FM's Sam Vincent was positive about the light shower of rain developing as the Friday evening event got under way.

'If it was sunny and hot, people would be complaining that it's hot,” says Sam. 'It's nice and cool and actually it is ideal mountaineering.”

Sam and his fellow More FM team member Brad Hemmingway are not lacking in bravado, and plan to climb Mauao 38 times in 50 days.

'Brad and I are known as Ed and Tenzing around the office,” says Sam. 'There's a real possibility that we could be breaking all sorts of records.”

Brad Hemmingway and Sam Vincent aka 'Ed and Tenzing', from More FM

When participants have raised $200, they qualify for a Mount Everest Challenge tee shirt.

'Tonight at 5.30pm we're kicking off the Mount Everest Challenge,” says Sam. 'I'm quite excited. It starts today, with 50 days of pure carnage for an amazing cause.”

Beginning on Friday February 22, the fundraising challenge will run through to April 12.

The Riding for the Disabled Team - Sharon Aldersley, Louise Cairns, Helen Davenport, Angela O'Donnell, Elisha Olds, and Kaasandra Chee.