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Press Releases & Updates

12 AUG 2013

Oxfam Trailwalker 2013 Briefing and Physiotherapy Advice Session

Blind and hearing-impaired team joins for the first time
 

Oxfam Trailwalker, one of Hong Kong's largest and most popular hiking fundraisers organised by Oxfam Hong Kong, is scheduled to be held on 15 – 17 November this year. Under the theme “Press on through life’s peaks and valleys”, Oxfam Trailwalker attracted 1,200 teams comprising 4,800 walkers to take the 100km challenge along the MacLehose Trail and other trails. A briefing session was held today, sharing hiking tips from a Trailwalker veteran, as well as medical advices from professional doctor and physiotherapist.

A group of visually and hearing-impaired athletes formed two teams called “Fearless Dragon” and participated for the first time in Oxfam Trailwalker. Team member Galant Ng joined the briefing session today, expressing their target to finish the trail in 30 hours. They take the grueling trail as a demonstration of their own strength and perseverance, and as a challenge against their physical limitation. They also plan to join other hiking and marathon events in Hong Kong and overseas, with a view to promote the integration of people with and without disabilities. 

At the briefing session, Brenda Wong (Fundraising Manager – Events, Oxfam Hong Kong) briefed walkers and their supporters on event details and safety measures. Dr Chau Chi Wai, Associate Consultant, Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital, shared some tips in treating common medical problems, such as foot blisters, knee pain, muscle cramp, etc. He also recommended participants to conduct a Pre-participation Examination (PPE) and have sufficient physical training beforehand.

Super Trailwalker Chan Kwok Keung shared insights gained from his 17 years of experience, and encouraged participants to try their best to finish the 100km journey. “I agree with Oxfam’s motto - “Working with People Against Poverty” – we should strive our best not only to finish the trail, but also to raise as many donations as possible to help reduce poverty around the world,’ said Chan. Frank Hung, from the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association (Sports Specialty Group), provided physiotherapy tips to the participants and advised that good training is the best protection against injury.

In teams of four, participants of Oxfam Trailwalker are required to complete the 100km East-West trail across Hong Kong within 48 hours, from Pak Tam Chung in Sai Kung (Start Point) to Po Leung Kuk Jockey Club, Tai Tong Holiday Camp in Yuen Long (Finish Point). Oxfam Trailwalker has grown from a Gurkha-led training event in 1981 to one of the world's largest hiking fundraisers. Since 1986, more than 77,000 hikers have raised over HK$393 million for Oxfam Hong Kong to support our works in reducing poverty. Oxfam Trailwalker is Oxfam Hong Kong's flagship fundraiser and has been hugely popular with hikers over the past decades. The fundraising target is HK$30 million this year; all funds raised will go towards the agency’s poverty alleviation and emergency relief projects around the world.

Oxfam Trailwalker is now held in 16 cities in 11 countries by Oxfam affiliates (including Hong Kong): in Australia (Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney), Belgium, England (South Downs, Yorkshire Dales), France, Germany, India (Bangalore), Ireland, Japan, New Zealand and Spain. The event was held in Perth, Australia and Mumbai, India for the first time this year.

About Oxfam Trailwalker: http://www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.hk
Oxfam Trailwalker Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/oxfamtrailhk

About Oxfam
Oxfam is dedicated to fighting poverty and inequity worldwide. The international and independent development and humanitarian organisation tackles poverty in four main ways: sustainable development in poor communities, disaster relief, local, national and global advocacy, and education with Hong Kong youth. Established in Hong Kong in 1976, Oxfam Hong Kong is a founding member of Oxfam, an international confederation that has assisted poor people in 94 countries. Oxfam Hong Kong alone has supported poor people in over 70 countries/regions.

For media enquiries please contact:

Cindy Chan
Communications Officer
Oxfam Hong Kong
Phone: 3120 5201/ 6749 6230
Email: cindyc@oxfam.org.hk

Melanie Chan
Communications Officer
Oxfam Hong Kong
Phone: 3120 5175/ 9654 2048
Email: melaniec@oxfam.org.hk