Race To Cure Kids Raises Over $380,000

Accor $10 Queenstown Race To Cure Kids Raises Over $380,000 For Medical Research Into Children’s Life Threatening Illnesses

October 5 2007: The Accor $10 Queenstown Race to Cure Kids, won for the second consecutive year by Paul Forno of Auckland and his team mate Richard Cassidy, has raised a record $381,000 for medical research after three days of intensive racing from Auckland to Queenstown.

The event which is in its third year began in Auckland on Wednesday (October 3) and finished in Queenstown today. Competitors were charged with getting from Auckland to Queenstown with just $10 in their pocket and most arrived in Queenstown with their money still intact.

Twenty three teams competed and the money raised will help fund the $1.5m national screening programme into inherited cardiac diseases and other vital research into children’s life threatening illnesses.

The amount raised this year far exceeds last year’s total of $315,000 and Cure Kids general manager Thelma French says it is a reflection of the dedication of the competitors.

“They have thrown themselves into this race with such passion. Cure Kids owes them all a huge debt.”

She paid tribute to the sponsors and to the members of the public who supported the contestants, many travelling out of their way to help them reach their destination.

Paul Forno, who has competed in the event every year and Richard Cassidy who was participating for the first time, were first across the line at the Mercure Grand St Moritz Hotel in Queenstown at 2.02pm this afternoon.

“We were very lucky to get a great ride from Ashburton all the way to Queenstown,” says Paul who is still enjoying the competition after three years. Paul’s son Sam suffers from Type 1 diabetes and is the motivation for him to compete.

A series of challenges had to be undertaken en route. One of the final challenges, to ride the AJHackett Ledge Sky Swing had to be called off when heavy snow affected the access track.

Overall team placings were calculated over three days racing, taking into account any penalties incurred.

Forno and Cassidy were first overall, Kaz’s Cuzzies made up of Tiri Connell and Anita Humphrey of Wellington took out second place and the Whakatane team of Neil (Fats) Robinson and Natasha (Tarsh) Ihaia, who competed in the entire race in bridal outfits were third.

The Dunedin Cadbury’s Dream Team of Kieran Fleury and Sarah Lloyd was officially second across the finish line in Queenstown just a minute behind the leaders at 2.02pm and Hammertime represented by Morgan Emery and Victoria Nielsen of Accor in Auckland were the third finishers at 2.36pm.

The champion fundraising trophy was awarded to the Cadbury JJ’s team of Jill Bown and Jo McDonald who raised $46,000.

“We had a huge range of fundraising activities including being sponsored for losing weight at Weightwatchers, a Polynesian festival and a fun fair day. Cadburys also helped significantly by matching our funds once we reached $25,000.”

Kaz’s Cuzzies raised $30,000 and the Budget Bunch team of Tony Williams and Suzanne Scott, representing Budget Rent a Car from Auckland clocked $27,000.

“The individual efforts of these teams and indeed all the teams have been outstanding,” says Ms French. “Each and every person has worked incredibly hard to help us achieve such a fantastic result.”

A popular Queenstown couple were Queenstown Primary School teachers Sarah Ferguson and Rebecca Rodgers, who raced for young Queenstown Cure Kids ambassador Isabella Davies who suffers from leukaemia. Racing under the banner Izzie’s Belles they received a resounding welcome home at the finish line from their pupils.

The 2007 Accor $10 Queenstown Race to Cure Kids is sponsored by Accor Hotels & Resorts, adidas, Fairfax Media, MORE FM, Qantas, Rebel Sport, Telecom and YOUTHTOWN

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