Tuesday 5 April 2011
GET YOUR BOOTS ON! Getting on their boots
to help launch Oxfam Ireland's TRAILTREKKER 2011 are (left
to right) presenters Roisin Ni Thomain, Katie Larmour and
Sinead Ni Loidean. Pictured in St. Stephens Green at the launch
of one of the worlds most ambitious and epic challenges through
the Mourne Mountains to Carlingford on September 10th. For
more details see oxfamireland.org PIC CREDIT:
1IMAGE/Bryan Brophy |
Are you ready for the most exhilarating walk
of your life?
Model and TV presenter Katie Larmour and
RTE’s Bangor-born presenter Dr. Mark Hamilton today launched
Oxfam Ireland’s TRAILTREKKER 2011, one of the world’s
most ambitious team challenges, involving a non-stop 100km or
50km trek through the Mourne Mountains to Carlingford. A unique
feature of this year’s TRAILTREKKER is the introduction
of the 50km trek.
Katie Larmour is already looking forward
to the September event and may opt for the 50km route, while Dr.
Mark Hamilton has previous success in completing the TRAILTREKKER
challenge. Mark, presenter of RTE’s Health of the Nation,
said: “My team, How Long Will You Walk, completed the 100km
trek. I would highly encourage anyone who enjoys personal and
team challenges to take part in TRAILTREKKER – it is a truly
unique and epic trek.”
This
walk is tough but whether you choose the 100km or the 50km trek
the experience will be exhilarating. Choose your challenge and
help change lives in developing countries.
Taking place on September 10th-11th, the
Oxfam TRAILTREKKER trail is a specially designed route that starts
in Newcastle, Co. Down before traversing the Mourne Mountains,
the Ring of Gullion and the Cooley Peninsula and finishing in
the medieval village of Carlingford. This cross-border route encompasses
some of Ireland’s most stunning landscapes and is steeped
in Irish mythology.
Oxfam Ireland’s TRAILTREKKER is also
part of a growing global phenomenon. There are now fifteen events
in twelve different countries. Since TRAILTREKKER began in 1981
in Hong Kong, over 32,000 teams (128,000 individuals) have collectively
walked over 11.5 million kilometres (the same distance as walking
around the world 287 times!), becoming great ambassadors for Oxfam’s
work and raising over £61 million.
TRAILTREKKER is now in its third year in
Ireland and over the past two years it raised over £610,000
towards Oxfam Ireland’s work, helping to make real and practical
differences to the lives of people in the developing world. £610,000
is the equivalent of Oxfam Ireland’s entire livelihoods
programme spend in Malawi and Uganda in 2010. These programmes
include everything from supporting projects that increase agricultural
production in sustainable ways, addressing the consequences of
climate change, strengthening access to markets for scale producers,
especially women, and working with people affected by HIV and
AIDS.
Oxfam Ireland’s Events Manager, Grace
O’Neill says: “TRAILTREKKER will test your determination,
stamina, dedication and camaraderie and anyone with a moderate
level of fitness can train to take part. You’ll experience
a massive sense of achievement, not only on a personal level but
also as a team. Your trekking achievements will bring real change
to some of the poorest communities in the world, as all the funds
raised by TRAILTREKKER will enable Oxfam Ireland to carry out
its work in east, central and southern Africa. Go on, choose your
challenge and sign up today”.
For more details about signing
up for TRAILTREKKER 2011,
text “TREK” to 51500, or call 028 9089 5972 or visit
www.oxfamireland.org/TRAILTREKKER
|