About 2,000 participants will walk 100km through beautiful, rugged bushland from the Hawkesbury to the Harbour. It’s hoped they will raise more than $2.5 million for Oxfam.
Trailwalker started out as a military training exercise for the elite Queen’s Gurkha Signals Regiment in Hong Kong in 1981 and has since grown into one of the world’s leading team endurance challenges. It now takes place in Australia, India, New Zealand, Spain, France, Japan UK, Belgium and Hong Kong. In Australia, the event is held in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.
Globally, the events have raised more than $200 million for Oxfam to help fight poverty and injustice throughout the world.
Oxfam Australia’s Event Marketing Manager Simon Barwick said Trailwalker was an inspiring and challenging event that changes lives. “Not only is Trailwalker a physical challenge, it’s a fundraising challenge, with teams raising money for Oxfam to help us fight global poverty,” Mr Barwick said.
“Since Sydney Trailwalker started in 1999, participants have raised more than $35 million and nationally our Trailwalker events have raised in excess of $70 million. With one in three people in the world living in poverty, the money raised by Trailwalker participants has helped Oxfam continue to do the amazing work we do.
“Around the globe, Oxfam works to find practical, innovative ways for people to lift themselves out of poverty, campaigns so that the voices of the poor influence the local and global decision makers and helps save lives and rebuild when disaster strikes.”
Mr Barwick said the teamwork of those on the trail, the dedication of their support crews and the commitment of local people volunteering at events makes Trailwalker a unique experience for everyone involved.
“Hundreds of volunteers help make each event possible,” Mr Barwick said. “They do everything from helping register teams, trail marshaling and IT support. Volunteer physiotherapists and massage therapists also step-in to help walkers get back on their feet at checkpoints and the teams’ support crews are with them every step of the way.
“It’s a truly collaborative experience, with everyone working together with a common aim of ensuring teams achieve their goal of walking 100km and that in the process we raise much needed funds for Oxfam. It is really inspiring.”
Meanwhile, Oxfam is also set to open two new shops in Sydney in August. The new stores are located in Sydney CBD and Bondi. This will bring the total number of Oxfam Shops nationwide to 13, three of which will be located in Sydney. Oxfam Shop’s focus on ‘Food, Fashion & Home’, showcasing a diverse range of hand crafted unique products that help support artisans around the world. Oxfam Shop is a passionate supporter of fair trade and works with 138 fair and ethical producer partners in 39 countries around the world, including Australia.
