Oxfam Australia needs teams of three to race around the streets of Perth to raise money for its humanitarian aid and development work around the world.
The Rat Race challenge, which was postponed from November, will be held for the first time in Perth on February 13-14 and will involve a number of people riding, kayaking, climbing and abseiling on a whirlwind adventure through the city’s streets.
Oxfam Australia is the event’s charity partner, and teams who register through the Oxfam website receive 50 per cent off the race registration fee if they commit to fundraising for the organisation.
Oxfam Australia Spokesperson Leigh Stewart said that funds from the event would provide the organisation with vital funds for its work helping people in poverty.
“We hope Perth-siders rally behind the Rat Race, as not only will it be a very memorable adventure, but it will help us raise vital funds for people in need around the world,” Ms Stewart said.
“Fundraising will help our work including our assistance to communities affected by this week’s earthquakes and tsunami in the Solomon Islands, and our ongoing response to the Indonesia earthquake, Philippines typhoon and Samoa tsunami that devastated our region this year,” Ms Stewart said.
The Rat Race event involves a choice between two challenges: the ‘Mean Streets Prologue’ held ‘on-foot’ on Saturday, February 13, from 5-8pm. Teams must make their way around Perth walking and running through various check-points and participants must fundraise at least $100 per person for Oxfam.
Alternatively, people can choose the ‘Total Adventure’, which carries over to Sunday and involves racing around the city by boat, bike and rope, raising at least $200 per person for Oxfam.
Donna Thomas, a medical student from Northbridge, is completing the challenge with her husband Matthew Thomas and friend Rohan Vandongen, and has already raised $645 for Oxfam’s work. “We buy a lot of things from the Oxfam Shop and we love mountain climbing, so supporting Oxfam through the Rat Race seemed perfect,” Ms Thomas said.
Paddy Cullen, a campaigner for Oxfam Australia, is also competing in the race: “It’s a fun way to raise awareness and funds for a good cause. Oxfam makes a real difference in people’s lives by giving practical support to people in poor countries and campaigning on the root causes of poverty”.
To register, visit http://www.oxfam.org.au/act/events/rat-race for more information or email ratrace@oxfam.org.au
For media enquiries, contact Sunita Bose on 61 407 555 960
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