The final countdown is on with only one day remaining for the More FM Mount Everest Challenge. Can we reach $80,000?

This year's fundraiser is supporting Good Neighbour, with participants climbing Mauao 38 times in 50 days, while their supporters help with donations.

So far over $74,000 has been raised by hundreds of people since the challenge started on February 13. The push is on now to reach the target of $80,000 by the end of Sunday April 3 when the fundraiser officially finishes.

This is the eighth year in a row that the Mount Everest Challenge has been running.

Since the challenge first started, More FM has raised $462,000 for local charities. In 2015, $95,000 was raised for surf clubs, while in 2016, Homes of Hope was the chosen charity with $45,000 raised.

The list goes on: 2017 - Women's Refuge, $71,000; 2018 - Waipuna Hospice, $120,000; 2019 - Riding for the Disabled, $63,000; 2020 - Rescue Helicopter, $32,800. Last year St Johns received $36,200.

More FM wants to continue to grow this to support various charities in the Bay of Plenty, but they can only do it if people seize hold of this challenge, whether it's participating in climbing or donating to those who are.

'This year we really wanted to choose a local charity that changes people's lives for the better - especially during the current climate,” says More FM promotions manager Kelsey Harrap.

'Good Neighbour is such an important part of our community."

Good Neighbour provides practical opportunities for people to support one another so that lives and neighbourhoods are transformed. There are five ways they do this: Food Rescue, Projects, Community Gardens, Kitchen and Whanau Care.

People have been able to do the challenge either as an individual or in a team and by doing so will have climbed the equivalent of Mount Everest right here in the beautiful Bay of Plenty

There are 93 teams and 177 individual participants involved this year.

Jason Rowling is at the top of the individual leader board with more than 50 donors already helping him raise $20,000. Jason has climbed up to the summit of Mauao whether it's raining or not but on March 21 he explained on his Givealittle page why his climbs had to come to a temporary stop.

"We are closing in on the last 10 climbs with only days to go," says Jason. "I hit a bit of a wall, with contracting Covid. That put me out of action for 10 days, but I am now back with a vengeance.

"I can't thank those of you enough that have supported me by walking and also financially. Your support means Good Neighbour can continue to touch the lives of those that have hit a bump in the road of life. Or, by making a difference in people's lives where significant change is taking place."

Those who want to support Jason with a donation can click here.

Roger Lindsay has raised over $1000 already for the More FM Mount Everest Challenge. Photo: Supplied.

Roger Lindsay is in fifth place on the individual leader board, with his Givealittle page 'Must be Crazy'.

"I would like to challenge myself to climb Mount Maunganui 38 times in 50 days - and if I don't achieve it in time I'm going to donate the same amount donated to me back to Good Neighbour, up to $1000," says Roger.

So far Roger has raised $1,377 of his $947 goal thanks to 10 generous donors. To support Roger click here

As of Saturday morning, with only one day to go, $24,336.45 has been raised by 93 teams. At the top of the team leader board is CSN Bay of Plenty, led by Leti Liu. They have raised nearly $2500.

"As of March 28, we have completed 165 climbs between us," says Leti. "Not too long to go but we still have a few more days to get it done! Thanks so much everyone for all of your support. It definitely helps us get out butts up there.

"Most of us are using these last few days to complete our own personal goals. Some are doing the 38 on their own, some are doing 38 between them in a group, and some are just seeing how many they can achieve. Covid had slowed us down, but we're still getting those gains."

To help support Team CSN Bay of Plenty or one of the other teams, click here.

This year the More FM Mount Everest Challenge has been sponsored by Toi Ohomai, Farmer Autovillage, New World Mt Maunganui, Downtown Tauranga, Gerrand Floorings, Premier Insulation Bay of Plenty, and Smiths Sports Shoes Tauranga, Mount Maunganui & Papamoa.

To support the More FM Mount Everest Challenge go to https://givealittle.co.nz/event/mount-everest-challenge-2022