2018-08-11

The Oxfam Trailwalker (OTW), Hong Kong’s largest hiking fundraiser, will be held from 16 to 18 November, 2018. The theme this year is ‘Oxfam Trailwalker: Transforming Lives’. Almost 300 walkers attended today’s briefing to help them prepare for the challenge.

At the briefing session, Brenda Wong, Fundraising Manager (Events) of Oxfam Hong Kong, introduced the new environmental measure that will be implemented this year: walkers are encouraged to pledge to be a ‘Green4 Trailwalker’ and submit photos or videos of members carrying out any four of several green actions during the event. For instance, take their empty bottles/cans to recycling bins, reduce the amount of meat they consume during the event, bring their own cup/container for drinks, do not use single-use plastics, or take public transport instead of driving etc. The new ‘Green4 Trailwalker’ monogram will be stamped onto participants’ certificates upon completing the 100 km, and their achievement will be posted on the Oxfam Trailwalker website.

Kenneth Wu, OTW chief medical commander and Associate Consultant at the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital, reminded participants to train adequately beforehand and shared tips on treating common medical problems. Vivien Cheng, Director of Community Partnership of the Green Earth, shared her advice on how participants could help make the event greener this year. Frank Hung, from the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association - Sports Specialty Group, explained how to deal with hiking injuries and physiotherapy tips.

Frankie Tong and Samantha Chan, experienced Super Trailwalkers, also shared their trailwalking tips and experience with walkers and support teams, and shared how they could relate to this year’s theme ‘Oxfam Trailwalker: Transforming Lives’. Tong said, ‘The arduous journey has made me realise just how small I am, but with the understanding, communication and unity of our team, I also realised that I can also be strong and can transform into a better version of myself.’ Chan added, ‘The OTW has reignited my passion for sports, helped me better understand my physical and mental limits and made me brave enough to take on the challenges that come my way.’

The trail starts at Pak Tam Chung in Sai Kung and ends at Po Leung Kuk Jockey Club, Tai Tong Holiday Camp in Yuen Long. A total of 1,300 teams, or 5,200 walkers, will embark on the trail this year. In teams of four, participants must trek hills and mountains along the 100 km MacLehose Trail and other trails within 48 hours. Since Oxfam first held the Oxfam Trailwalker in 1986, close to 100,000 walkers have participated in the event and have successfully raised a total of close to HK$572 million. The fundraising target of Oxfam Trailwalker 2018 is HK$34 million, which will be used to support Oxfam's global work in poverty alleviation, and disaster relief policy advocacy, including the support for smallholder farmers in developing countries.

About Oxfam Trailwalker: www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.hk

Oxfam Trailwalker Facebook page: www.facebook.com/oxfamtrailwalkerhk

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. Through the years, Oxfam Trailwalker has become the largest fundraising and hiking event in Hong Kong. It will be held in 16 cities – including Hong Kong – in 9 countries this year.

About Oxfam

Oxfam is a worldwide development organisation that mobilises the power of people against poverty.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Cindy Chan
Communications Officer
Oxfam Hong Kong
Phone: (852) 3120 5201 / (852) 6749 6230
Email: cindyc@oxfam.org.hk

Alan Ng
Assistant Communications Officer
Oxfam Hong Kong
Phone: (852) 3120 5174 / (852) 9786 2258
Email: alan.ng@oxfam.org.hk

Almost 300 walkers, who attended the Oxfam Trailwalker 2018 briefing, learning warm up exercises.

Brenda Wong, Fundraising Manager (Events) of Oxfam Hong Kong, briefed walkers and their support teams on event details and safety measures. She also introduced the new environmental measure that will be launched this year.

Dr. Kenneth Wu, OTW chief medical commander, Associate consultant at the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital, reminding participants to adequately train beforehand and sharing tips on how walkers can treat common medical problems.

Vivien Cheng, Director of Community Partnership of the Green Earth, sharing her tips on keeping the event green this year.

Frankie Tong and Samantha Chan, experienced Super Trailwalkers, sharing their trailwalking tips and experience with walkers and support teams, and shared how they could relate to this year’s theme ‘Oxfam Trailwalker: Transforming Lives’.

Frank Hung from the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association - Sports Specialty Group leading the warm up exercises.

Almost 300 walkers, who attended the Oxfam Trailwalker 2018 briefing, learning warm up exercises. Brenda Wong, Fundraising Manager (Events) of Oxfam Hong Kong, briefed walkers and their support teams on event details and safety measures. She also introduced the new environmental measure that will be launched this year. Dr. Kenneth Wu, OTW chief medical commander, Associate consultant at the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital, reminding participants to adequately train beforehand and sharing tips on how walkers can treat common medical problems. Vivien Cheng, Director of Community Partnership of the Green Earth, sharing her tips on keeping the event green this year. Frankie Tong and Samantha Chan, experienced Super Trailwalkers, sharing their trailwalking tips and experience with walkers and support teams, and shared how they could relate to this year’s theme ‘Oxfam Trailwalker: Transforming Lives’. Frank Hung from the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association - Sports Specialty Group leading the warm up exercises.