Accor $10 Queenstown Challenge to Cure Kids

MEDIA RELEASE
30 September 2008

THE RACE TO CURE KIDS IS ON!

Accor $10 Queenstown Challenge to Cure Kids, October 1-3

Tomorrow 28 teams make their way from Auckland to Queenstown on just $10 and some Kiwi ingenuity – all to help New Zealand children with serious illnesses.

The Accor $10 Queenstown Challenge to Cure Kids raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Cure Kids charity organisation, which funds vital research into life threatening illnesses that affect children and their families, including cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, childhood leukaemia and Long QT Syndrome (sudden death syndrome caused by a genetic abnormality). Last year’s event raised $381,000 for the children who live with the challenges of illness and disease everyday.

The race kicks off at first light tomorrow, Wednesday 1 October at Novotel Auckland Ellerslie, part of title sponsor Accor’s network of hotels and resorts, and ends when teams cross the finish line at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside on the afternoon of 3 October.

Accor has a strong partnership with Cure Kids and the hotel group sponsors the event each year, as well as entering teams of their own employees. On their journey from Auckland to Queenstown, all teams and event crew pass through and stay at some of Accor’s 29 hotels throughout New Zealand.

Each team of two is required to raise a minimum of $7000 before the race, using all their initiative to raise funds through local events such as sausage sizzles, coin collections, quiz nights, auctions and more. Along the road, competitors face several interesting and often hilarious challenges, which they know no details of until they arrive in each stop over. Some of last year’s activities included completing an obstacle course on a motorised scooter, bungy jumping and an army rope climbing challenge.

Gathering at Novotel Auckland Ellerslie at 6.45 on Wednesday 1st October, the competitors will complete their first challenge, which is the only one they know about before the race. “Pimp my Ride” will see the teams decorate vehicles in the most attention-grabbing way possible, which will take them on the first leg to Hamilton. The most ‘pimped’ ride, to be judged by Cure Kids ambassador and television personality Petra Bagust, will be able to hit the road first and will win the most points.

Several other challenges will face competitors as they catch rides through the country, stopping for the first night in Wellington (October 1), the second in Christchurch (October 2) and the final night in Queenstown (October 3).

Most teams carry banners and wear eye-catching costumes in a bid to pick up rides along the way, with many kind hearted drivers happy to help out for a good cause. So if motorists see some strangely dressed and bedraggled pairs on the side of the road waving banners and thumbs, they can show their support by offering a ride.

Accor is a global network of more than 4,000 hotels in nearly 100 countries. In New Zealand, Accor operates 29 hotels and resorts, with approximately 1400 employees, under eight brands: Sofitel, MGallery, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure, Ibis, all seasons and Formule 1. Ranging from economy through to five star luxury, hotels are located in 11 destinations: Auckland, Pauanui Beach, Hamilton, Rotorua, Wellington, Picton, Nelson, Christchurch, Queenstown, Wanaka and Dunedin.

Ends

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