They were confined in a cage in Pioneer Park, without any access to technology, as a fundraiser.
''Two of the guys with us bailed with only about five hours to go.
''It was too hard for them and they wanted to use their phones,'' Jasmine Hattrill said. The remaining teenagers agreed it was difficult to spend 24 hours without cellphones or iPods.
''It makes you respect more what you have, though,'' Jasmine said. The group went into the cage on Friday at 7pm and were allowed a five-minute walk and toilet break every hour. A tarpaulin provided some shelter when it rained overnight.
They saw the best and worst of human nature while they were on their mission.
''Some drunk people threw bottles and stones at us in the middle of the night. Nobody was hurt but it wasn't very nice,'' Grace said.
On a brighter note, they enjoyed the Saturday morning markets held next to them in the park. People gave money to their cause and they even scored some free food.
They also appreciated the company of the stallholders and those visiting the stalls. Their experience brought them closer together, as they spent much of the night talking, they said.
They raised $500 which will be used for the Alexandra and Districts Youth Centre Easter camp in Christchurch.
And after escaping from captivity, what was the first thing they were going to do? ''We want to go to sleep ... but first we'll check our phones,''Grace said.
Jasmine mused: ''I wonder if I'll have to re-train my thumbs ... ''
