25 Oct 2016
Following on from successful events over the past decade, which have raised more than $1.8 Million dollars, AccorHotels and their charity partner Cure Kids kicked off day one of the five day event with an early wakeup and a number of physic al challenges. The competitors and crew then headed out to Kesa Village on Naviti Island in the Yasawa's courtesy of Awesome Adventures Fiji.
After an emotional welcome on the beach by the entire village the competitors were put straight to work. Following the devastation of Tropical Cyclone Winston earlier this year, a major focus for the village is to rebuild and increase their water harvesting initiatives. The event teams built and installed a total of 4 water tanks for the village over the day and a half they spent there.
Art Green from season one of the reality television series “The Bachelor New Zealand”, who is competing in the event with his partner Matilda Rice whom he meet on the show said “I have taken part in great Cure Kids fundraising events in New Zealand and the AccorHotels Race to Survive event to support Cure Kids here in Fiji and working on this vital community project is one of the highlights. Knowing we are helping the local communities to have access to basic things such as clean drinking water which we all take for granted back at home is very rewarding”.
The night was spent being entertained by the young and old alike from Kesa Village showcasing their true village culture. One of the highlights was hearing from Dr Joe Kado who gave an overview of the Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) Screening Program being funded by AccorHotels and Cure Kids Fiji. The RHD screening team will be screening all children at the school over the coming days and whilst unfortunately a number of children will be diagnosed with RHD or associated heart problems, once diagnosed, they will form part of an ongoing national treatment programme.
This was day one of the 5 day race due to finish at Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa on Friday.
This is the 10th Anniversary of the Race to Survive which began in 2006 and has raised 1.8 million dollars for Cure Kids Fiji. To discover more follow www.facebook.com/racetosurvivefiji or visit www.accorracetosurvive.co.nz
Photo Captions:
- competitors New Zealand celebrities Matilda Rice and Art Gareen being welcomed by children of Kesa Village
ENDS
Media Contact
Sonya Rossiter
Director of Sales, Marketing & Distribution
AccorHotels New Zealand, Fiji & French Polynesia
+64 0212 700 044
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