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Press Releases & Updates

15 NOV 2013

OXFAM TRAILWALKER 2013 KICK-OFF (11:00am)

Dr York Chow, Mr Bernard Chan and Dr. Stephen Fisher as Officiating Guests

Oxfam Trailwalker (OTW), Hong Kong’s most popular hiking fundraising event organized by Oxfam Hong Kong, was kicked off this morning (15 November) The Official Kick-off Ceremony, held at 11am today, was officiated by Dr York Chow Yat-Ngok, Chairperson, Equal Opportunities Commission, Mr. Bernard Chan, Chairman, Oxfam Trailwalker Advisory Committee, Mr. Francesco M. Squillacioti, Senior Managing Director, Regional Business Director of Securities Finance, Asia Pacific, State Street Corporation, and Dr. Stephen Fisher, Director General, Oxfam Hong Kong.

This year, 4,800 walkers from 1,200 teams will participate in the walk, with the support of 3,000 volunteers, about 4,000 support team members, as well as more than 45,000 donors. The Trailwalkers will take up the 100km challenge in teams of four, aiming to finish within 48 hours. The Start Point is at Pak Tam Chung in Sai Kung and the Finish Point is at Po Leung Kuk Jockey Club Tai Tong Holiday Camp in Yuen Long. The fundraising target of Oxfam Trailwalker this year is HK$30 million, all of which will go to support the agency’s poverty alleviation work.  

‘Our theme this year is “Press on through Life’s Peaks and Valleys”, said Mr. Bernard Chan. “All Oxfam Trailwalkers face the same daunting challenge – having to go through countless peaks and valleys. But as long as you stay on the path with perseverance and keep walking with your team mates, you will see that all valleys come to an end. This is as true on the 100km trail as it is true in life. This grueling challenge also helps change the lives of poor people – it is a commitment to empower poor people to make positive changes in their lives.”

Dr York Chow Yat-Ngok, Chairperson, Equal Opportunities Commission, said “Oxfam Trailwalker is an event not only focusing on self-challenge, but also reflecting the spirit of equity. I am impressed that every participant is reaching towards the same goal, regardless of gender, nationality and race, as well as physical limitation. I know that among the Trailwalker teams this year, there are the “Fearless Dragon” Team composed of visually-impaired and hearing-impaired athletes who participate for the first time; a team formed by Fung Kam Hung, amputee trailwalker who participates in the event for the third time; and also teams coming from Nepal, Singapore, Mainland China, Japan and the US. I am pleased to see that Trailwalker shares the same values that the Equal Opportunities Commission holds – that a pluralistic and inclusive society free of discrimination where there is no barrier to equal opportunities.”

Oxfam Trailwalker has been held since 1981, and has become Oxfam Hong Kong's flagship fundraiser and one of the largest fundraising hiking events in Hong Kong, with the support of State Street, which has been the principal sponsor for 15 years.. Since 1986, more than 77,000 trailwalkers have participated and raised over HK$393 million to support Oxfam’s poverty alleviation work all over the world. The event has successfully developed into an international top-notch fundraiser, challenging walkers in 16 locations in 11 countries including Australia (Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney), Belgium, England (South Downs, Yorkshire Dales), France, Germany, India (Bangalore), Ireland, Japan, New Zealand and Spain. The year, the event is also held in Perth, Australia and Mumbai, India for the first time.

Important Notice: due to an unexpected incident at Sai Wan Tsuen, special arrangement was made for the Oxfam Trailwalker route. All walkers are no longer required to visit Check Point 1 and go directly to Sai Wan Pavillian from Chui Tung Au, then walk along Sai Wan Road towards Pak Tam Road, then go up to Pak Tam Country Trail to visit Check Point 2. The diverted route is around 3km shorter than the original.

**It is estimated that the first team will reach the Finish Point at Tai Tong Holiday Camp at about 8:30pm to 9:30pm tonight. The Closing Ceremony will be held on 18 November (Sunday) at about 2pm. You are cordially invited to report the events. Please refer to details of the upcoming ceremonies as attached.

For more information about Oxfam Trailwalker, please visit: http://www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.hk/ 

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/oxfamtrailhk

For media enquiries, please contact:

 

Cindy Chan

Communications Officer

Oxfam Hong Kong

Phone: 3120 5201 / 6749 6230

Email: cindyc@oxfam.org.hk

Cara Ko

Communications Officer 

Oxfam Hong Kong

Phone: 3120 5131 / 9222 6632

Email: carak@oxfam.org.hk

Melanie Chan

Communications Officer

Oxfam Hong Kong

Phone: 3120 5175 / 9654 2048

Email: melaniec@oxfam.org.hk