The Trans Borneo Challenge will be officially launched by Zoe Foster Blake on Tuesday 11 March at Melbourne’s Botanical Gardens. Zoe is an ambassador for The Orangutan Project and, along with her husband radio and TV personality Hamish Blake, visited their conservation programs in Borneo in 2013.
 

“As Ambassador of The Orangutan Project I am thrilled to be launching the 2014 Trans Borneo Challenge, the biggest global fundraiser for endangered orangutans of its kind. Having visited Borneo last year and witnessed the widespread destruction of the remaining forest with my own eyes, I truly understand how much precious little time the orangutan species has left. Thanks to those such as our TBC trekkers, we have a real opportunity to raise worldwide awareness and critically needed funds to ensure projects dedicated towards saving the species can run successfully,” says Zoe Foster Blake.
 

The Trans Borneo Challenge takes 10 adventurers across 900km of Borneo’s wilderness with the mission to raise funds and awareness for orangutan conservation. The 2014 challenge begins on 21 August and finishes on 14 September. The TBC event, now into its second year, is once again setting out to be one the biggest fundraiser's of its type.

This year’s TBC aims to raise more than $100,000 for The Orangutan Project. 100% of funds raised from the TBC event go towards on the ground conservation projects through The Orangutan Project.
 

“Following its inaugural year, the TBC has proved to be a true test of will for these hardy trekkers. 900kms from one side of the Bornean continent to the other is a momentous feat, and what this group are set to achieve is truly commendable. Every single hand of help is needed right now if we are going to preserve the magnificent orangutan species for generations to come. Please help us get to our $100,000 target by supporting a trekker, or being part of the 70,000 citizens we are asking to donate just $1,” says Leif Cocks, President of The Orangutan Project.
 

For more information on the TBC please visit www.orangutanodysseys.com/tbc

Media are invited to attend the TBC launch, see details below.
 

Zoe Foster Blake and TBC participant Katie Walacavage will be available for interviews before and after the official launch at 11am, please contact us to arrange an interview time.
 

-        11am Tuesday 11 March

-        The Temple of the Winds pavilion – Gate H, Royal Botanic Gardens, Alexandra Ave, South Yarra
 

The TBC is run by Orangutan Odysseys. Orangutan Odysseys combines adventure and educational tours in Indonesia and Malaysia to support orangutan conservation projects and the protection of their habitats. Orangutan Odysseys mission is to provide real life experiences while supporting local non-profits (like The Orangutan Project) engaged in keeping orangutans and their habitats safe.

The Orangutan Project (TOP) is the world’s foremost not-for-profit supporting orangutan conservation, rainforest protection, local community partnerships and the rescue, rehabilitation and reintroduction of displaced orangutans back to the wild, in order to save the two orangutan species from extinction. For more information on projects TOP supports, visit www.orangutan.org.au
 

For any media enquiries or to arrange an interview with Zoe Foster Blake or Peter Miller from Orangutan Odysseys please contact Erin Aldersea, Zest For Adventure on ealdersea@gmail.com or 0450 013 226.