Dhaka: Thousands of Kiwis will begin fasting for 40 hours at 8:00pm local time on Friday, reports New Zealand’s onenews.

Funds raised from this year's appeal will go to children and their families in Bangladesh and 123,000 New Zealanders have registered to take part in the annual World Vision event.

Swimming non-stop for 40 hours, squeezing into a room with 40 other people for the weekend, going without food and sleeping without a roof over their heads are just a few of the challenges Kiwis are taking on this year.

Schools across the country are embracing a range of activities from ‘box city’ sleepovers to speed dating, craft stalls and camps, sports ‘survivor’ events and special auctions.

World Vision says eight million children in Bangladesh are malnourished and many won't make it to their fifth birthday.

‘This year we have called on New Zealanders to give hope for young people struggling against immense odds,’ says World Vision chief executive Chris Clarke.

Funds from last year's 40 Hour Famine have been used to change the lives of Malawi children and their families, improving their nutrition and health.