Queenstown Challenge Raises Money For Cure Kids

For Immediate Release

2009 Novotel $10 Queenstown Challenge Raises Money For Cure Kids For Vital Medical Research

September 4 2009: Parents of children suffering from life threatening illnesses are featured amongst the 33 teams entered in the 2009 Novotel $10 Queenstown Challenge (September 30-October 2), which involves competitors travelling from Auckland to Queenstown, on a shoestring to raise money for Cure Kids.

The novel event, which raised $400,000 last year for research into children’s life threatening illnesses, starts in Auckland on September 30 and competitors, in teams of two, have to make their way through the country, with just $10 in their pockets undertaking a series of challenges on the way.

The route teams will take will be under wraps until the start and the challenges, designed by Clued Up, attract points which are tallied at the race finish in Queenstown on October 2, to determine the overall winner.

Cure Kids CEO Vicki Lee is pleased with the strong support for this year’s race.

“This reinforces for us that this event is firmly established as a fantastic fundraiser for Cure Kids. The people who have entered are totally committed to raising as much money as possible, at the same time having a lot of fun on the way. The competitors, who have to use their ingenuity and creativity to get from Auckland to Queenstown, help increase the profile of Cure Kids as they travel through the country, which is an important spin off of the race.”

Six Accor teams have entered, including one from Novotel Queenstown Lakeside hotel, where the race will finish. The remaining teams represent a varied cross section including Rotary, the IT and travel industry and Cure Kids key partners.
Teams need to raise $7000 to enter but most are focused on raising more in a bid to win the coveted Champion Fundraising Trophy.

The Gen-i Super Mums team of Alison Slyfield and Chrissie Barfoot have a special affinity with the goals of the Novotel $10 Queenstown Challenge and Cure Kids because their young children, James (3) and Harris (4), suffer from leukaemia, which has inspired them to enter.

“We only have to find the energy and the will power to survive these three days while the kids we are raising funds for have to find the same determination to face their challenges on a daily basis,” says Alison. “Every dollar counts and Cure Kids is such an awesome organisation.”

Similarly Karen North whose son Chris is a Cure Kids ambassador and suffers from asthma has entered and will race through the country, with team mate Gaylene Leabourn, as the Miracle Mums team.

Beryl Robinson, representing Rotary, is returning to the race after competing in 2006, when she and her race partner were the champion fundraisers.

“This year I am teamed with my husband Colin. We must be crazy, but regard this as an adventure while making a very positive contribution to this wonderful cause to fund vital medical research for children with life-threatening illnesses,” says Beryl. “I never had so much fun raising money for such a worthy cause and have convinced Colin that he should do ‘The Amazing Race Cure Kids’ style too.”

Competitors carry mobile phones throughout the event, to remain in contact with race headquarters, and this year for the first time they will be equipped with a Palm Treo, to upload photographs and twitter updates on to their Windowslive page on the web.

Title sponsor Novotel has a strong partnership with Cure Kids through the Accor Hospitality Group. Other major sponsors are Youthtown, Gen-i, Budget, Classic Hits, Clued Up, Fairfax Media, Kia, Kiwirail and Interislander.

ends

© Scoop Media