City councillor Deon Swiggs, Tactix netballer Erikana Pedersen and Mike Pero are among the locals abseiling the Cashel St Les Mills building on October 6.
Each participant aims to raise $1000 for the Graeme Dingle Foundation, which provides ongoing support to 5000 Canterbury teenagers per week.
Deon Swiggs, who "absolutely hate[s]" heights, said he would confront his fears to benefit disadvantaged youth.
"I know how these things can open up doors for young people who don't normally get these opportunities. But also open their mind to the possibilities of how they can progress in their lives."
Project K, one of the foundation's four youth development courses, provides local teens with the confidence and skills to become young leaders in their communities.
Canterbury regional manager Noeline Allan said the programmes were designed to help individuals who "probably didn't get the best chance at life from the get-go".
Participants learnt to give back to their communities and were paired with adult mentors who supported them in achieving their goals.
"The first thing we do in Project K is take them away on a three-week wilderness adventure," Allan said. "The day they come back there's not a dry eye in the house."
Allan said the $35,000 trip offered teens an experience they never would have had without Project K.
"It's so transformational."