Shaun & Chris prepare to leap off the stadium

Shaun Tāhau (Deputy Executive Director: Tiriti and Partnerships) and Chris Williamson (Deputy Executive Director: Academic Delivery) are representing Otago Polytechnic's senior leadership team Te Kahui Manukura (TKM) in taking part in Toss the Boss 2025.

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

The event's 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.

This will be 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.

Chris and Shaun say taking part in the event on Friday May 23 continues a long partnership between Otago Polytechnic and Southern Youth Development, and the pair are keen to raise as much money as possible as they prepare for 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."

"Throwing ourselves off a building is nothing compared to the courage of young people seeking support and stepping back into education."

(Shaun and Chris will also be joined by Alecia Mee, Supervisor at Otago Polytechnic's Eden Cafe.)

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