Fire and Ice Festival's Dunk For Life

If you're up for a challenge this Sunday head to Tikitapu (Blue Lake) for the Fire and Ice Festival's Dunk For Life challenge.

Those taking it on will take a quick dunk in the lake to help raise money for the Life Education Trust which educates primary and intermediate children about healthy living and the dangers of substance abuse.

"We require $130,000 per year in order to provide for the 6000 primary and intermediate schools that are in the region," said Dunk For Life organiser Jo-Anne La Grouw.

Mrs La Grouw said the educator employed by Life Education was taking night classes to learn te reo Maori to teach the programme to total immersion classes. Participants in Dunk For Life get sponsored to take a dip in the lake and the person who gains the most sponsorship will win an iPad, with a camera worth $200 for the under 15 participant who earns the most.

"We are hoping to raise around $20,000 from the Dunk for Life event and we're expecting to see at least 100 people compete," Mrs La Grouw said. She understood some people planned to compete to see who could stay in the water the longest, she said.

Rotorua MP Todd McClay and Rotorua District Councillor Janet Wepa were among those who had already accepted the challenge, she said.

Entrants in previous years have ranged in age from pre-school to 83.

"The challenge will require people to immerse themselves completely in the cold water. Whether you want to remain in there or get out is totally up to you. There will be an ambulance on site just in case people get a shock," Mrs La Grouw said.

Participants are encouraged to dress up for the occasion with prizes for the wackiest swimming costume, best head gear, oldest and youngest entrants plus spot prizes.