15 NOV 2024
Oxfam Trailwalker 2024 – “40 Years, Stronger Together” Bernard Chan, Horace Cheung, Daniel Chan Officiated at Kick-off Ceremony A Mega Event in Hong Kong
Presented by Oxfam Hong Kong, with Futu Securities International (Hong Kong) Limited serving as the Principal Sponsor, Oxfam Trailwalker (OTW), Hong Kong's largest fundraising hiking event officially kicked off today in Pak Tam Chung, Sai Kung. Mr. Bernard Chan, OTW Steering Group Convenor, Oxfam Hong Kong; Mr. Horace Cheung, SBS, JP, Deputy Secretary for Justice; Mr. Yeung Yan Kin, Andy, FSDSM, Director of Fire Services, Fire Services Department; Mr. Leaf Li, Founder & Chairman of Futu Securities, Principal Sponsor of Oxfam Trailwalker; Mr. Daniel Chan Ho-yuen MH, OTW Event Ambassador and recent Silver Medalist of Wheelchair Badminton at 2024 Paris Paralympic Games; Oxfam Ambassador, Mr. Andy Leung Chiu Fung; Mr. Wong Kam-po, SBS, MH, Three-time Asian Games Gold Medalist & World Champion; Mr. Marco Kwok Ho-ting, Track Cycling World Champion; Mr. Leung Chun-wing, MH, Track Cycling Junior World Champion, and other guests respectively officiated at the five kick-off ceremonies of OTW 2024.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Oxfam Trailwalker, themed “40 Years, Stronger Together,” and the event is proud to be a Mega Event in Hong Kong. Over 4,000 participants and more than 1,000 teams have registered this year. Additionally, 130 corporate teams are participating, with support from over 3,000 volunteers and 20 sponsors.
The event features a star-studded lineup, including Oxfam Ambassador Mr. Andy Leung Chiu Fung, artist Ms. Melody Ma, Mr. James Ng and Mr. Alvin Ng Fu Kiu; Oxfam Trailwalker 2022 champion and 2023 mixed team champion Mr. Joseph Yeung Chi-shing; Oxfam Trailwalker 2022 mixed team champion Mr. Jeffrey Ian Campbell; Oxfam Trail-walker 2023 champion Mr. Tsang Fuk Cheung; hiking and Mr. Chan Kwok-keung (KK Chan), a veteran Trailwalker dubbed Mr. Trailwalker; and former Hong Kong triathlon elite athlete Mr. Abraham Kok Yu Hang. Group Chairman of New Frontier Group, Mr. Antony Kam Chung Leung, will also attend the Leaders’ Walk.
Mr. Bernard Chan, OTW Steering Group Convenor, Oxfam Hong Kong said, “Oxfam Trailwalker is proudly celebrating its 40th anniversary, marking a significant annual event for the people of Hong Kong. Throughout its journey, Oxfam Trailwalker has experienced both highs and lows, yet the unwavering team spirit, determination, and perseverance of each participant remain constant. Their collective efforts support Oxfam's vital work in poverty alleviation. Over the years, I have witnessed many participants grow alongside Oxfam Trailwalker, and their hard work has led to remarkable achievements. I am deeply moved by their commitment and look forward to the new chapters that lie ahead for Oxfam Trailwalker.”
Mr. Horace Cheung, SBS, JP, Deputy Secretary for Justice said, “I am delighted to join the kick-off ceremony for the Oxfam Trailwalker. Launched in Hong Kong in the 1980s, the Oxfam Trailwalker is a signature charity hiking event, aims to raise public awareness of poverty alleviation and emergency relief projects worldwide. The Oxfam Trailwalker 2024 has been recognized by the Government as a mega event. We hope that this largest local fundraising hiking event will help tell the world the good stories of Hong Kong. The MacLehose Trail, the event route, has been named as one of the world’s 20 dream trails by the National Geographic magazine. I hope our international participants will enjoy the splendid scenery along the way and invite more people to come to Hong Kong to discover this hidden gem of natural beauty in our vibrant city.”
Mr. Leaf Li, Founder & Chairman of Futu Securities, Principal Sponsor of Oxfam Trailwalker said, “We gathered here with all brave Trailwalkers, taking the challenge with rain and wind to participate in this meaningful fundraising event. I first encountered the charity walk in 2013 and was greatly inspired. For over a decade, my colleagues at Futu and I have actively participated in this event. This year, Futu Securities is honored to be the Principal Sponsor of Oxfam Trailwalker and sent 60 teams to join and take this challenge. Today, we will traverse 100 kilometers of the MacLehose Trail in Hong Kong within 48 hours, climbing over eight high peaks along the way, likely with almost no sleep throughout the journey. It's a long walk, with ups and downs, but I am sure we will conquer it together, celebrate success at the end, and more importantly raise funds for those in need.”
Ms. Kalina Tsang, Director General, Oxfam Hong Kong said, “This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Oxfam Trailwalker, and I am delighted that a team from Nepal has come to Hong Kong to participate this mega event. Oxfam Trailwalker has a deep connection with Nepal and it was originally a military training event organised by the Gurkhas in Hong Kong. Following the handover of Hong Kong in 1997, Oxfam Hong Kong took over the event. A portion of the funds raised from the event will also contribute to Oxfam's poverty alleviation and development programmes in Nepal, focusing on gender justice, climate change adaptation, disaster prevention, and humanitarian relief efforts.”
Dr. Michael Wong, Director of Fundraising and Communications of Oxfam Hong Kong said, "The successful and timely holding of Oxfam Trailwalker 2024 has been made possible through the collaboration and support of all parties. Oxfam has been in close contact with various parties in the past few days, staying vigilant about weather changes and closely monitoring the safety conditions at the checkpoints and along the routes. After considering and balancing multiple factors, we have decided that the event will proceed as scheduled. During the event, we will continue to closely monitor the safety of participants and the route conditions, and make corresponding arrangements based on the latest weather updates. We remind all participants to closely monitor the latest weather reports from the Hong Kong Observatory before departure and during the event, to remain vigilant throughout the activity, prioritize safety, and enhance their equipment and support. Oxfam Hong Kong stands united with all the Trailwalkers, support teams, and volunteers. Stronger Together, as we brave the elements and come together for this annual event!"
Sponsored by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, teams from Korea and Nepal will participate in Oxfam Trailwalker for the first time, showcasing the beauty of Hong Kong's trails to international hiking enthusiasts. This year's youngest participant is 18 years old, and the oldest is 78. Oxfam Trailwalker 2024 starts in Pak Tam Chung in Sai Kung, and finishes at Harrow International School Hong Kong in Tuen Mun. Teams of four must complete the 100km MacLehose Trail and other connecting sections within 48 hours. Celebrating the 40th anniversary, this year also features a new “40th Anniversary Edition” route, starting in Pak Tam Chung in Sai Kung and ending at Gilwell Campsite on Fei Ngo Shan.
In order to continue the “Trailwalker Spirit”, Oxfam Trailwalker is excited to launch the new “Oxfam Young Trailwalker Training Programme”, with The D. H. Chen Foundation as the Growth Partner and Funder. The programme will engage 100 young people to become “Young Trailwalkers”, equipping them with physically and mentally resilience in facing life’s challenges while fostering teamwork and relieving stress through immersion in nature. Oxfam Trailwalker will also recruit past Trailwalkers to serve as companions and supporters. Please stay tuned for the latest updates.
Download photos of the press conference and other press materials here: https://bit.ly/48ORv31
For more information about Oxfam Trailwalker: www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.hk
Oxfam Trailwalker Facebook: www.facebook.com/oxfamtrailwalkerhk
Oxfam Trailwalker Instagram: www.instagram.com/oxfamtrailwalkerhongkong
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About Oxfam Trailwalker
Oxfam Trailwalker (previously called “Trailwalker”) began in Hong Kong in 1981 as a military training exercise for the elite Queen’s Gurkha Signals Regiment. In 1986, Oxfam Hong Kong was invited to co-organise the event and in the same year the event was open to the public. Along with the retreat of the Gurkhas in 1997, Oxfam Hong Kong took over the event, which has since become Hong Kong's largest fundraising hiking event.
Oxfam Trailwalker 2024 starts in Pak Tam Chung in Sai Kung, and finishes at Harrow International School Hong Kong in Tuen Mun. Teams of four must complete the 100km MacLehose Trail and other connecting sections within 48 hours. This year also features a shorter, special 40th-anniversary route. The event is generously supported by over 3,000
volunteers and 20 sponsors.
About Oxfam Hong Kong
Oxfam is a global organisation committed to creating a world without poverty through its advocacy, development and humanitarian work.
About Futu Securities
Futubull positions itself as the next-generation of a one-stop trading and wealth management platform that integrates real-time market data, investment transactions, up-to-date news, and trading community. Futubull is currently available on Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android, providing lightning and secured trading experience to all levels of investors worldwide.
For more details, please visit: https://www.futuhk.com
For media enquiries:
Crab Wong / PY Fung Sounds Good Creative Tel: (852) 6735 8396 / 6290 6866 E-mail: [email protected]/ [email protected] | Natalie Kei / Candy Yuen Oxfam Hong Kong Tel: (852) 6939 1864 / 6379 3729 E-mail: [email protected]/ |