Going up Mount Maunganui 18 times in less than 24 hours sounds like a real challenge and it's exactly what gym owner Chris Shearer will be doing today to raise awareness for mental health.

Today – which is also Gumboot Friday – Snap Fitness Papamoa will be doing a 24-hour walk up Mount Manganui to raise funds for I Am Hope – a mental health charity that supports young Kiwis.

This will be the fourth-year-in-a-row that the Snap Fitness Papamoa team has supported the cause to help Kiwi kids access free counselling – raising just under $40,000 in total.

'For us, it's all about supporting that next generation by doing something that's for the greater good and putting on an event where it invites not only our members but also the broader community to come get involved and to move for mental health,” says Chris, who will climb Mauao 18 times.

'We understand the importance of physical exercise and how beneficial it can be for not only physical health but also the mental health side of things,” says Chris. 'If we can get people moving more and doing exercise more for themselves, the better we can look after those around us and have a better, clearer, sharper mind.”

The Snap Fitness Papamoa crew will kick off their 24-hour Mount walk at 12pm Friday, November 4. Everyone is welcome to join, or head along to cheer them on.

Visit their Facebook page @SnapFitness.Papamoa.Beach for more information on how to support.