A group of first responders are preparing to lace up their running shoes for the mental health charity I Am Hope in Christchurch.

Members from the police, fire and ambulance services along with defence force and civil defence personnel will take part in a 24 hour relay tomorrow.

The runners are hoping to raise $20,000 dollars for the I am Hope charity which makes it easy for young people to access counsellors.

Senior Constable Glen Dawson told Kate Hawkesby it's personal to a lot of the people taking part.

He says they often have a front row seat to mental health and suicide episodes.

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