“40 Years, Stronger Together”

Over 4,000 Walkers Ready to Go

Daniel Chan Ho-yuen MH, Silver Medalist in Wheelchair Badminton at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games as the Oxfam Trailwalker Event Ambassador

Entering its 40th anniversary, Oxfam Trailwalker (OTW), Hong Kong's largest fundraising hiking event, is set to take place from 15 to 17 November 2024. Hiking enthusiasts have enthusiastically embraced this year’s theme, “40 Years, Stronger Together,” as they challenge themselves. As of the end of October, over 4,000 walkers, forming more than 1,000 teams, have registered for the event. Oxfam Trailwalker is presented by Oxfam Hong Kong, with Futu Securities International (Hong Kong) Limited serving as the Principal Sponsor.

Among all participants, there are 130 corporate teams. The event is generously supported by over 3,000 volunteers and 20 sponsors. In addition, the eldest participant is 78 years old. On the other hand, the youngest participant is 18 years old.

The participants represent diverse backgrounds, ages, and ethnicities. There are teams from all over the world, including Australia, France, the UK, the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Denmark, Japan, Korea, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, Nepal, Taiwan, Mainland China and Hong Kong, together supporting Oxfam’s poverty alleviation work.

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 featuresa new “40th Anniversary Edition” route, starting in Pak Tam Chung in Sai Kung and ending at Gilwell Campsite on Fei Ngo Shan.

A press conference was held today (7 November) at Oxfam Hong Kong Headquarter. Distinguished guests included Bernard Chan, OTW Steering Group Convenor, Oxfam Hong Kong; Kalina Tsang, Director General, Oxfam Hong Kong; Michael Wong, Director of Fundraising and Communications, Oxfam Hong Kong; Daniel Tse, Managing Director, Futu Securities International (Hong Kong) Limited, OTW Principal Sponsor; Daniel Chan Ho-yuen MH, OTW Event Ambassador and recent Silver Medalist of Wheelchair Badminton at 2024 Paris Paralympic Games; Oxfam Ambassador, Andy Leung Chiu Fung; and celebrity Trailwalkers James Ng and Alvin Ng Fu Kiu, participating for the second consecutive year. Oxfam Trailwalker Elite walker Joseph Yeung Chi-shing, athlete and team leader of the Fearless Dragon Team, Fiona Lam, and hearing-impaired team member Wendy Ho also shared their pre-event thoughts at the press conference.

Bernard Chan, OTW Steering Group Convenor, Oxfam Hong Kong said, “I participated in Oxfam Trailwalker four times between 1993 and 1998. Since then, I have transitioned from being a participant to an organiser, witnessing the event’s ups and downs over the years. Nevertheless, the spirit of Oxfam Trailwalker and its underlying philosophy of poverty alleviation have remained steadfast. As we celebrate the 40th anniversary, Oxfam Trailwalker has been recognised as a mega event in Hong Kong by the Government in the second half of the year, highlighting both its scale and its contributions to the community. This year, we are excited to introduce new elements to the event with a special ‘40th Anniversary Edition’ route. We are also excited to see participation exceed 1,000 teams once again. I look forward to celebrating this significant milestone.”

Daniel Tse, Managing Director, Futu Securities International (Hong Kong) Limited, OTW Principal Sponsor said, “We are honoured to be the principal sponsor of Oxfam Trailwalker for six consecutive years. Rooted in Hong Kong for 12 years, Futu has become a preferred investment platform in the city. As we have scaled over the past decade, our influence has also elevated. We are committed to propelling Hong Kong's fintech development, and at the same time serving the better future of our community. This year, we formed over 60 teams to participate and take the challenge of trailwalking, embracing and promoting the spirit of teamwork, determination and resilience. Together with Oxfam, we walk alongside the Hong Kong people to empower the underprivileged and give back to the community.”

Kalina Tsang, Director General, Oxfam Hong Kong said, “Oxfam Trailwalker 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, establishing a strong connection with Nepal since then. We are pleased to have the support of the Hong Kong Tourism Board this year, which enables us to assist participants from Nepal in coming to Hong Kong for the Oxfam Trailwalker. 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.”

Andy Leung Chiu Fung, Oxfam Ambassador said, “In June, I had the opportunity to join Oxfam Hong Kong for the first time on a voluntary basis, visiting the remote mountainous regions of Nepal to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the local people. During my visit, I met Anjali Bohara, a local woman who will be participating in the Oxfam Trailwalker ‘40th Anniversary Edition’ route in Hong Kong. This year, I will also be joining the event for the first time, running the same route as Anjali with my teammates. I am very much looking forward to reconnecting with Anjali on the MacLehose Trail in November.”

Daniel Chan Ho-yuen MH, OTW Event Ambassador said, “I am honoured to serve as the Event Ambassador for Oxfam Trailwalker this year. After winning my silver medal at this year's Paralympics, I am committed to furthering the development of Hong Kong athletes with disabilities in a new capacity. Completing 100 km as a team of four is a considerable challenge, and it becomes even more demanding for athletes with disabilities. I hope to encourage people with disabilities to push their limits and discover new possibilities.”

Wendy Ho, Member of the Fearless Dragon Oxfam Trailwalker Team with hearing disabilities said, “The Fearless Dragon Running Team was founded by the Hong Kong Network for the Promotion of Inclusive Society, bringing together runners who are blind and deaf. Since its launch in 2011, Fearless Dragon has formed multiple teams to participate in the Oxfam Trailwalker, promoting integration between individuals with and without disabilities while fostering the perseverance of disabled people. I am thrilled to join the Oxfam Trailwalker for the first time this year, and look forward to overcoming the challenges posed by hearing and visual impairments alongside my teammates as we work towards our goal.”

Route of OTW 2024, Go Green Together

Oxfam Trailwalker will be recognised as an International Trail Running Association (ITRA) event. ITRA is an international organisation which accredits and ranks elite trail runners. All OTW finishers will receive 4 points toward their ITRA ranking.

In the press conference, Oxfam Hong Kong also announced the latest arrangements of checkpoints, starting times and support teams at various checkpoints. The route of OTW 2024 starts at Pak Tam Chung in Sai Kung and finishes at Harrow International School Hong Kong in Tuen Mun. Nine checkpoints will be located along the route. In the first 87 km, the route covers sections 1 to 9 of the MacLehose Trail (M001 – M174). After passing distance post M174 and leaving the MacLehose Trail, participants will continue hiking until reaching M186 via the path surrounding the Reservoir. They will then rejoin the MacLehose Trail and move forward until M193 before leaving it again. Finally, they will travel 700m along a country trail to reach Harrow International School Hong Kong in Tuen Mun.

The support teams of OTW 2024 would go green by avoiding disposable tableware and containers, as well as minimising food wastes. They would also separate recyclables into different recycling bins. Oxfam Hong Kong called on all parties participating in Oxfam Trailwalker 2024 to keep the natural environment clean by taking their event materials, food wastes and rubbish home.

To avoid crowd gathering that blocks the way of local residents and emergency vehicles, participants are strongly advised to use public transport to travel to Pak Tam Chung, the starting point of the route.

Download photos of the press conference and other press materials here: http://bit.ly/3YXmSFi

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

Enquiries and Contact: 

(From left to right) Wendy Ho, Member of the Fearless Dragon Oxfam Trailwalker Team; Andy Leung Chiu Fung, Oxfam Ambassador; Kalina Tsang, Director General, Oxfam Hong Kong; Daniel Tse, Managing Director, Futu Securities International (Hong Kong) Limited, OTW Principal Sponsor; Bernard Chan, OTW Steering Group Convenor, Oxfam Hong Kong; Daniel Chan Ho-yuen MH, OTW Event Ambassador; Joseph Yeung Chi-shing, Oxfam Trailwalker (OTW) Elite walker; James Ng and Alvin Ng Fu Kiu, Celebs Team - Oxfam Trailwalker participated in the press conference of Oxfam Trailwalker 2024.

Bernard Chan, OTW Steering Group Convenor, Oxfam Hong Kong was excited to introduce new elements to Oxfam Trailwalker with a special “40th Anniversary Edition” route, and see more than 1,000 teams joining once again.

Daniel Tse, Managing Director, Futu Securities International (Hong Kong) Limited, OTW Principal Sponsor announced that Futu Securities will serve as the principal sponsor of Oxfam Trailwalker for six consecutive years, and has formed over 60 teams to participate in this year’s event.

Daniel Chan Ho-yuen MH, OTW Event Ambassador (right), Wendy Ho, Member of the Fearless Dragon Oxfam Trailwalker Team (left) and Fiona Lam, Leader of the Fearless Dragon Oxfam Trailwalker Team (middle) shared how athletes with disabilities encounter challenges and overcome various obstacles.

Joseph Yeung Chi-shing, Oxfam Trailwalker Elite walker (right), James Ng (middle) and Alvin Ng Fu Kiu (left), Celebs Team - Oxfam Trailwalker shared their experience and encouraged other walkers during the press conference.

(From left to right) Wendy Ho, Member of the Fearless Dragon Oxfam Trailwalker Team; Andy Leung Chiu Fung, Oxfam Ambassador; Kalina Tsang, Director General, Oxfam Hong Kong; Daniel Tse, Managing Director, Futu Securities International (Hong Kong) Limited, OTW Principal Sponsor; Bernard Chan, OTW Steering Group Convenor, Oxfam Hong Kong; Daniel Chan Ho-yuen MH, OTW Event Ambassador; Joseph Yeung Chi-shing, Oxfam Trailwalker (OTW) Elite walker; James Ng and Alvin Ng Fu Kiu, Celebs Team - Oxfam Trailwalker participated in the press conference of Oxfam Trailwalker 2024. Bernard Chan, OTW Steering Group Convenor, Oxfam Hong Kong was excited to introduce new elements to Oxfam Trailwalker with a special “40th Anniversary Edition” route, and see more than 1,000 teams joining once again. Daniel Tse, Managing Director, Futu Securities International (Hong Kong) Limited, OTW Principal Sponsor announced that Futu Securities will serve as the principal sponsor of Oxfam Trailwalker for six consecutive years, and has formed over 60 teams to participate in this year’s event. Daniel Chan Ho-yuen MH, OTW Event Ambassador (right), Wendy Ho, Member of the Fearless Dragon Oxfam Trailwalker Team (left) and Fiona Lam, Leader of the Fearless Dragon Oxfam Trailwalker Team (middle) shared how athletes with disabilities encounter challenges and overcome various obstacles. Joseph Yeung Chi-shing, Oxfam Trailwalker Elite walker (right), James Ng (middle) and Alvin Ng Fu Kiu (left), Celebs Team - Oxfam Trailwalker shared their experience and encouraged other walkers during the press conference.