With sweaty palms and the cheers of their support crew ringing in their ears, Alecia, Shaun and Chris bravely completed the Toss the Boss 2025 challenge this morning.

The event is an annual fundraiser for Southern Youth Development (formerly Malcam Trust), and challenges local business and community leaders to abseil 35 metres from the upper service gantry in the Speights Stand at Forsyth Barr Stadium, to the pitch below.

Shaun Tāhau (Deputy Executive Director: Tiriti and Partnerships) and Chris Williamson (Deputy Executive Director: Academic Delivery) represented Otago Polytechnic's senior leadership team Te Kahui Manukura (TKM), and were joined by Alecia Mee, Supervisor at Eden Cafē.

The trio said it was a no-brainer taking part in the challenge. “Throwing ourselves off a building is nothing compared to the courage of young people seeking support and stepping back into education.”  

If you haven’t managed to donate to this awesome cause, you’ve still got time!

• Sponsor Shaun, Chris, and Alecia's stadium 'toss' fundraising efforts for syd here...

This was the 11th year of Toss the Boss in Dunedin, with organisers inviting anyone with a passion for supporting rangatahi success to take part.

All the money raised for Southern Youth Development will go toward supporting young people across a range of services in the Dunedin, Clutha and Waitaki areas.

The trio say taking part in the event continues a long partnership between Otago Polytechnic and Southern Youth Development, and they're keen to raise as much money in tackling the tall challenge.

"Working at Otago Polytechnic we obviously have a huge passion for helping young people overcome challenges to help maximise their potential."

"We understand the difficulties faced by many rangitahi, and enjoy watching them grow and flourish when given new opportunities."

• Click here to support Shaun, Chris, and Alecia in their challenge...