Ana Apatu: After 24 hours, we jump for joy

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Skip skip skippity skip, skip ... skip ... skip, or skip boom, skip boom.

These are the rhythms of the 24-hour skipathon participants, skipping on the wooden stage of inner-city Hastings.

The different skipping rhythms gauge the level of skipping expertise. Those of us in the skip ... skip ... skip or the skip boom, skip boom category marvel at the athleticism of those that seemingly effortlessly skip to the skip skip skippity skip routine. A rhythm that is fast, which despite the levels of tiredness, never seems to change pace.

This is a fundraiser challenge showcasing the Flaxmere Boxing Academy supported by Vodafone with Craig, head coach, Vodafone recipient of the World of Difference Scholarship, and Flaxmere Boxing Academy boys supported by mums, dads and friends. The aim of the event is to have three people skipping at all times for 24 hours and when tiring, tag another to substitute.

Food, refreshments, water, plunger coffee, donations of fruit and food during the night sustain our efforts. Pipi Pizza truck is here for a time with Tunu Tunu barbecue on tap for dinner, breakfast and lunch.

We have mattresses, massage tables, music and lighting.

We launch the event at 4pm. Eventually when things quieten down at about midnight, Rex Julie and I snuggle down in our sleeping bags. But as people drift off we soon realise we have to muster some energy because our numbers have dwindled to eight. This includes Dalton Tosh and his mate who arrive on their skateboards from Flaxmere to offer support. Dalton, 18, demonstrates his talent of "tricking" on YouTube.

A back flip from standing and an amazing demonstration which I can only describe as running up an invisible wall while flipping backwards. He tells me this form of sport originated from martial arts in the '80's, a form of sport karate. He was introduced to "tricking" by his older brother and has competed in Australia (successfully).

When asked about his schooling and growing up he describes himself at that time as being lazy, obese and having little or no interests. Dalton is currently studying a beginner's course of sport and recreation at EIT.

He shares how he has begun to really enjoy teaching and loves tricking so much it "haunts him".

However I digress, it is only 1pm and it's my time to hit the skipping ropes. We all take turns and gradually its 2pm. I'm not sure if I can make it.

One of our skippers Saili, 21, of Samoan descent, skips at 25-minute intervals for five hours until he eventually has to sit. We watch three of his boxing bouts on the TV while skipping.

Saili is a Flaxmere Boxing Academy young man. Showing talent, he has won his first three bouts. Quietly spoken he shares that he realises if he is going to make it with his boxing, he needs to improve his fitness levels.

It drags to 3pm and we are getting very weary, literally taking 1 minute each on the stage. Craig - our lead- keeps us together. Realising we are struggling he suggests we drop to two people on the stage. We ask Craig about the person that had promised us he would come back at 4.30am to help out. We desperately watch every set of headlights, as the sleepy city starts to wake up. A couple of drifters watch us, security come to see how we are going. But we are tired.

Magically at 4.27am a car pulls up and we cheer with relief. Jay you honey. You kept your word. We would not have made it without you. And gradually people start to arrive. Dalton is cold with only a T shirt. Tunu Tunu is sparked up, the cafe opens at 6.30 and we realise we are going to make it.

Politicians drift by, shoppers, interested supporters, supporters that have skipped during the night return in their suits. We are going to make it. At 3pm people start to congregate. Drunk with weariness we count down at 4pm. Speeches, thank yous. Dalton and his mate skate off back to Flaxmere. We made it.

• Ana Apatu is chief executive of the U-Turn Trust, based at Te Aranga Marae in Flaxmere