Accor Race To Survive To Cure Kids

Accor Race To Survive To Cure Kids Helps Expand Vital Medical Assistance To Fijian Hospitals

October 16 2008: Many young Fijian lives will be enhanced through the commitment of teams competing in the 2008 Accor Race to Survive to Cure Kids, (October 20-24) with funds raised assisting Cure Kids Fiji to expand the vital medical support provided to Lautoka Hospital, to include hospitals in both Nadi and Suva.

Accor Hotels in Fiji launched Cure Kids Fiji in 2006 in partnership with the New Zealand based charity Cure Kids, which has been raising money for vital medical research into children’s life threatening illnesses for 35 years.

The biennial Accor Race to Survive to Cure Kids is a multisport race involving Accor staff members from Australia, New Zealand Thailand and Fiji. It was first held in 2006 as a major fundraiser for Cure Kids Fiji, and this year organisers hope to equal the FJ$251,000 achieved in the inaugural event.

The 14 teams, 13 international and one Fiji based team, are made up of five competitors and each includes an employee from one of Accor’s four Fiji hotels supporting the race -Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa, Novotel Nadi, Mercure Hotel Nadi and Tradewinds Hotel and Convention Centre Suva.

The challenging event incorporates ocean swimming, mountain biking, running and outrigging, beginning at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa at Denerau on Monday October 20 and finishing at the same complex on Friday October 24.

The gruelling outrigging section takes competitors from Port Vuda to Vomo Island on Tuesday October 21, returning to the mainland again by outrigger on Thursday October 23, after several sections including a swim, run and paddle are staged at Vomo Island.

Accor Vice President New Zealand and Fiji Paul Richardson looks forward to the start of Race to Survive and says the competitors have shown an outstanding dedication to Cure Kids Fiji in the build-up to the event.

“Accor’s 14 teams have spent months training to put themselves through this physically and emotionally exhausting experience. The time and dedication shows just how passionate our employees are about this cause. Actually comprehending how much of a difference they can make to the lives of the young children of Fiji is the only inspiration they need, the rest is the blood, sweat and tears that make it happen.”

Since Cure Kids Fiji was established more than FJ$300,000 has been raised to help provide essential medicines and equipment. Lautoka Hospital, the largest hospital on the West Coast of Fiji was the primary recipient in 2006 receiving paediatric probes, kidney disease vaccine and funds for a teaching and consulting visit from children’s kidney specialist, Dr William Wong of Auckland’s Starship Hospital.

Since that time incubators, including a vital travelling incubator, specialised ultrasound equipment, catheters, baby warmers and lamps have also been donated as part of the Lautoka Hospital’s wish list.

Essential medical supplies will be provided to Nadi Hospital, for the first time, at a presentation to medical staff on Sunday October 19 to coincide with the start of the Accor Race to Survive to Cure Kids. Suva’s Colonial War Memorial Hospital will shortly receive three ventilators for use for children, through a Rotary Club of Suva project, financially supported by Cure Kids Fiji.

The 2008 Accor Race to Survive to Cure Kids is a combined effort involving many people, according to Paul Richardson, who says while the dedication of the teams is significant, the event’s success also depends on the commitment and support of fellow Accor employees, sponsors, hotel guests and the public.

“Organising this event is a huge logistical exercise, so as well as the competitors there is also a large support team putting in their time and energy to ensure the race is a success, in particular the general managers and employees in our Fiji hotels, who have helped with everything from mapping the race route to arranging food for the teams.”

“The Accor Race to Survive to Cure Kids has also been reliant on sponsorship partners and our supporters, not least of all our “gold” sponsors including Rosie Holidays, Colonial, Star Printery, ReiverNet, UB Freight, Fiji Water, PreVu Corporation and Air Pacific.”

ENDS

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