How to do the 40 Hour Famine

Your ultimate guide to take on the World Vision 40 Hour Famine.

The World Vision 40 Hour Famine is New Zealand's largest youth fundraising campaign. More than 3 million New Zealanders have participated since it began. Now it's your turn! Follow this easy 10 step guide, and together, we can change everything with clean water.

Sign up

Create your online fundraising page here, or sign up in person with your school or youth group. Learn more about the cause so you know where your money is going, and set a goal amount to raise.

Pick a challenge

Whatever idea you have to challenge yourself, go for it! You can choose to use just 40 litres of water total, for 40 hours, walk, run, row, ride, swim, skip… 40km in 40 hours, or create your own challenge! Check out our Challenge Ideas resource to get you started.

Be number one

Get in first and donate to your own fundraising page. It gets the ball rolling and shows your commitment to the cause.

Start at home

Ask your parents or Whānau to sponsor you $1 an hour. Well done, you’re off to a flying start - you’ve raised $40!

Share on social media

Share your challenge and goal on social media and ask your friends to support you. Check out our Social Media Toolkit, and tag @40hourfaminenz. Keep people updated as you go. #40HOURNZ

Message friends & family

Message 5 people and let them know you’re doing the World Vision 40 Hour Famine. Ask them for $10 each – that’s just 25 cents for every hour of your challenge. Make it easy and include the link to your online fundraising page.

Face to face fundraising

Ask 5 people you see regularly to sponsor you $10 each. That's $50!

Do the World Vision 40 Hour Famine!

You’ve made it to the World Vision 40 Hour Famine weekend! Thanks so much for all your hard work. Now go for it, enjoy the weekend and good luck with your challenge.

Collect the cash

Every cent counts so don’t forget to collect your sponsorship money or remind friends and family to go online and donate. Be sure to return your sponsorship book and any cash to your organiser.

Thank you!

Let everyone know how much you’ve raised and what a difference it will make! Thank them for all their help, and be sure congratulate yourself on a job well done.