Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park surf benefit

Cantabrians will have the opportunity to light up Hagley Park for Surf Life Saving New Zealand on Saturday at the Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park.

For the sixth year in a row, the festive musical show has chosen to support the charity that keeps communities safe at the beach over summer.

Surf club members and lifeguards have been out in force in recent weeks selling glow sticks and glasses for the event and taking gold coin donations to raise funds.

Rising pop artist Jamie McDell, singer of radio hit You'll Never Take That Away, will also make a special appearance in support of the charity.

She will be joined onstage by fellow Surf Life Saving New Zealand ambassador Olympic swimmer Steven Kent.

Every dollar raised will go towards essential rescue equipment, training, and support to help New Zealand's lifeguards do their job.

A Surf Life Saving New Zealand spokeswoman said volunteer lifeguards will give more than 200,000 hours of their time this summer patrolling New Zealand's beaches.

While on patrol they will save more than 1000 lives, take part in more than 200 searches and take more than 350,000 preventative actions to stop people getting into dangerous situations.