This year's Mount Everest Challenge, which started on Sunday, attracted some plucky and hardy individuals who climbed Mauao early in the morning ahead of the looming storm and track closures.

Live for More Operations Manager Megan Warn joined David Mitchell and Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell to take on the challenge and make the first climb of the next 50 days before the rain and wind took hold.

Tauranga's 95.8 The Breeze which is running the Mount Everest Challenge selected Live for More as this year's chosen charity. So far, after just one day, the Mount Everest Challenge 2023 has raised $16,029.

The mission of the charity fundraiser is simple – walk, run or crawl up Mauao 38 times in 50 days; which is the equivalent to climbing Mount Everest, all while raising much needed funds for a local charity. Grab a team or do it as an individual. Can we reach $100,000?

'David is taking on the challenge and reached out to me to join him," says Sam.

Live for More Operations Manager Megan Warn, Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell and David Mitchell on Sunday morning. Photo: Supplied.

The trio were able to get in one climb before Tauranga City Council had to close the walking track on Monday morning, due to Cyclone Gabrielle. No one is able to climb Mauao or walk around the Mauao base track until the mountain has been reopened once again to the public. The situation will be reassessed on Tuesday.

For Mount Everest Challengers, the track closure just means fitting the 37 remaining climbs into about 47 days.

'Here we go again, only this time I'm 60 years of age and a little broken,” says David, who is asking for people to sponsor his challenge.

'Nothing's guaranteed so join me on my journey to raise funds for Live for More.”

David says the charity means a lot to him and during the challenge he plans to 'open up a little as to why”.

'My task is to climb Mount Maunganui 38 times in 50 days starting February 12. In my case I have 49 days as I fly out to Australia on the 1st of April.”

David Mitchell says this is his scared look. Photo: Supplied.

Aside from climbing David will be doing a daily journal keeping his supporters up to date with his thoughts, progress and donations.

'I'd love company so if you'd like to join me on a climb just message me on messenger,” says David.

'I'd love your help and the best way you can help aside from donating is by sharing this story so your friends also have the opportunity to donate to such a worthy cause.”

When asked how much he'd like people to donate, he says 'as much as you feel comfortable with”.

He got the ball rolling by donating $100 himself.

'I invite you to join me be it $1 or more,” says David.

To make a donation to Dave's Everest Challenge, the details are: Bank: DaveEverestChallenge - ANZ H Asplin - 01-0755-0269403-01

Or anyone in New Zealand or overseas can donate to PayPal via DavesEverestChallenge@gmail.com

'I've given the task of looking after donations to a close friend and a man whose integrity and honesty are beyond reproach,” says David. 'He will from time to time keep us up-to-date with donation totals etc. I've done this to avoid the fees that a Give-a-little page will charge as hosts.”

David says that he wants to ensure every dollar donated to his challenge will go to the charity.

Live for More Operations Manager Megan Warn and Tauranga's 95.8 The Breeze Promotion Manager Kelsey Harrap on the Mauoa stone steps. Photo: John Borren.

Live for More

Live for More is a Tauranga-based charitable trust that uses surf therapy to reach young people to help them find freedom from their troubled pasts and be inspired to live positive and fulfilling lives. Through their programmes, they transform troubled lives – one wave at a time.

The young people often have had very difficult lives and the majority have experienced a significant amount of trauma. Tai Wātea meaning "Waves of Freedom" gives them the opportunity to re-engage with positive people and healthy activities, allowing them to see their potential and giving their lives meaning and purpose.

Funding is needed so that Live for More can continue to provide the clinical support and counselling to the people they are helping, transforming them into positive productive members of our community.

The challenge campaign, previously run by More FM, kicked off on February 12 and will end on April 2.

'Last year we raised just over $84,000 for Good Neighbour so it really is an awesome feel-good challenge,” says Tauranga's 95.8 The Breeze Promotion Manager Kelsey Harrap, who had set herself a goal of $50,000 for 2022.

Tauranga's 95.8 The Breeze Promotion Manager Kelsey Harrap and Live for More Operations Manager Megan Warn. Photo: John Borren.

Over the past eight years, The Mount Everest Challenge has raised $547,097 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; 2021 - St Johns, $36,200 and last year Good Neighbour received $84,097.

Tauranga's 95.8 The Breeze 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.

Participants can sign up as an individual or as a team on the Give a Little Page and join the Mount Everest Challenge Facebook Page throughout the challenge to stay up to date and for awesome giveaways thanks to local businesses.