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Press Releases & Updates

04 AUG 2012

Oxfam Trailwalker 2012 briefing & physiotherapy advice session First Oxfam Trailwalker amputee team to join

Oxfam Trailwalker, one of Hong Kong's largest and most popular hiking fundraisers, is scheduled to be held on 16 – 18 November this year. In teams of four, 1,200 teams comprising 4,800 walkers will take the 100km challenge along the MacLehose Trail and other trails. A group of amputee athletes led by Fung Kam Hung, an experienced amputee walker, will join Oxfam Trailwalker for the first time and target to finish the trail in 48 hours as an act of personal challenge and a demonstration of perseverance and team spirit. 

Fung lost the lower part of his left leg in a traffic accident 32 years ago. He has maintained a healthy spirit, attitude, body and a healthy amount of courage ever since. In 2011, he challenged himself and joined Oxfam Trailwalker for the first time. When 18 November came along, he endured the rainy and muddy weather like everyone else, and also the many blisters that formed between his shin and artificial limb. It was worth it – 29 hours and 28 minutes later, he completed the whole trail with his whole team, which included two orthopedists and a nurse – his wife.

At the Oxfam Trailwalker 2012 briefing session held today (4 August), which was attended by more than 200 walkers, Brenda Wong (Fundraising Manager - Events of Oxfam Hong Kong) briefed walkers and their supporters on safety measures as well as fundraising requirements. Super Trailwalker Chan Kwok Keung shared tips gained from his 16 years of experience, including the importance of a strong support team. He shared how Oxfam Trailwalker had changed his life, and encouraged participants to do 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) advised participants that good training is the best protection against any injury. 


“’Life changes with Oxfam Trailwalker.’ We are confident that with your continued support, we can empower poor people to make positive changes in their lives, strengthen their livelihoods, and define for themselves the changes that will lead to responsible wellbeing and, ultimately, a world free of poverty,” said John Sayer, Director General of Oxfam Hong Kong.
In teams of four, participants of Oxfam Trailwalker aim 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 Hong Kong has seen Oxfam Trailwalker grow from a Gurkha-led event in the early 1980s to one of the world's largest sports fundraisers. Over the years, more than 73,000 hikers have raised over HK$365 million towards Oxfam Hong Kong's work to reduce poverty among women, men and children, in urban and rural areas, regardless of race, religion or politics.
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.  It has since grown into one of the world’s largest hiking events, now held in 12 countries by Oxfam affiliates (including Hong Kong): Australia (Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney), Belgium, Canada, England (North and South), France, Germany, India, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand and Spain.

About Oxfam Trailwalker: http://www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.hk

Oxfam Trailwalker Facebook fans page: http://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

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