Accor $10 Queenstown Race Targets $300,000

Accor $10 Queenstown Race to Cure Kids Raises Targets $300,000

October 5 2006: The Accor $10 Queenstown Race to Cure Kids has raised $271,000 and as the event enters into its final day tomorrow the challenge has gone out to boost the final total to $300,000.

Twenty four teams of two competitors are racing from Auckland to Queenstown with just $10 in their pockets and Cure Kids general manager Thelma French says the public response has been overwhelming.

“The money we have raised so far easily exceeds last year’s total of $194,000 and I feel confident that we can achieve the $300,000 mark this year. People have been so generous and if anyone feels they can help us reach our goal they can do so by visiting the Cure Kids website (www.curekids.org.nz) and donating on line.”

All the funds raised from the event are going towards a national screening programme for inherited cardiac diseases, in particular long QT syndrome, which cause sudden death in young people.

“We are so delighted with the money that has been raised so far for this vital lifesaving project,” says Ms French.

Competitors flew from Wellington to Christchurch this morning after a change of plan, with no guarantee the Cook Strait ferries would be operating this morning, following extreme weather conditions in Wellington last night.

Ms French says they had to make the call to fly across the Strait and the programme was amended to cut out the Picton to Christchurch leg and introducing fresh challenges once the competitors arrived in Christchurch.

The main challenge was to make their way to Akaroa and back collecting an item with a French influence from the town. Teams also had to raise a minimum of $30 for the charity during the day.

Paul Forno and his team mate Tamar McKewen were not content with just $30 but managed to collect over $800 by door knocking at offices in Christchurch.

“Everyone was fantastic we have had a sensational day,” said Paul, who is doing the race for the second year , because his young son Sam suffers from Type 1 Diabetes. “People have been so supportive and we have all been raising the profile of Cure Kids as we move through the country.”

The team of Matt McLay and David Ross of Auckland raised $450 and others raised over $200, some even busking to reach their targets.

“This is what this event is all about,” says Thelma. “All the teams are really throwing themselves into the spirit of the race and its goals.”

Singer Carly Binding and More FM announcer Tarsha Tolson say they have been completely ‘out of our comfort zone’ but they are loving every minute of the race.

“I have never hitchhiked in my life before,” says Tarsha. “It is just incredible and Cure Kids is such a good cause. We had one young guy who drove us miles out of his way when we told him what we were raising money for.”

Competitors stay overnight in Christchurch tonight and head to Queenstown tomorrow to the finish line at Mercure Hotel. On the way there will be another series of challenges before they can complete the event.

The sponsors for the Accor $10 Queenstown Race to Cure Kids are Accor Hotels and Resorts, Fairfax NZ, More FM, Rebel Sport and Telecom. Qantas and Mr Hawk who supplies GPS equipment to each team are supporting the event.

Visit www.curekids.org.nz for more information about donating to the Accor $10 Queenstown Race to Cure Kids, and background about the race and the competitors.

ENDS

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