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Joyous competitors at the finish
It is all for the kids
Whatever it takes to get people across the line
Contemplating the 24km Paddle
Bringing the Outriggdrs ashore
Hugo Johnston of Team Sa Yawa
Victorious Team Kai Viti and Team Bula Billabongs
Getting energy up for the bike ride
The "Wise" man of Team Sawaya takes a deserved nap after a straight hour plus paddle
Kirsty of Team Trinity preparing for the Outrigger
Will the Island Hoppers look so perky on Friday?
The Island Hoppers before the start of Day 1
Over 300 Children from Nadi Schools waved the Racers off
Team Bula Billabongs
Very happy Racers after the swim
The Sisters of Nadi Hospital with Cure Kids CEO, Kaye Parker taking delivery of new equipment on Sunday 19th October.
Temo, Supervisor of the Activities team at Sofitel Fiji welcoming the International Competitors during the Sevu sevu (traditional Fijian Welcome).
Murray Davison of Team Tao - The Turtles
Team Tao
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Survivor News 2008 The 2008 Accor Race to Survive to Cure Kids has raised more than $FJ310,000 for Cure Kids Fiji, for vital medical equipment for Fijian hospitals, clearly outstripping the previous amount raised in the inaugural race in 2006. Accor Hotels in Fiji launched Cure Kids Fiji in 2006 in partnership with the New Zealand based charity Cure Kids, which has been raising money for vital medical research into children’s life threatening illnesses for 35 years. Cure Kids CEO Kaye Parker said the final amount raised from the 2008 event which finished at the Sofitel Hotel Resort & Spa today is outstanding. “Accor is an extraordinary company with extraordinary people doing extraordinary things. Competitors along with sponsors and supporters of this race have gone the extra mile by raising $FJ310,795 compared to $FJ251,000 in 2006. It is hard to express just how much this means to the staff at the Fijian hospitals Cure Kids Fiji is donating vital equipment to. Ultimately everyone involved in this race is saving precious Fijian children’s lives.” Up until the 2008 event $FJ300,000 had been raised by Cure Kids Fiji with Lautoka Hospital initially receiving important lifesaving equipment and medicines. Specialist visits from New Zealand have also been funded to support and assist local medical staff at Lautoka Hospital. The programme has now been expanded to provide equipment to Nadi Hospital, and Cure Kids Fiji is financially assisting a Rotary Club of Suva project, to provide ventilators to Suva’s Colonial War Memorial Hospital. The 13 teams of Accor employees taking part in the Accor Race to Survive to Cure Kids included a local Fiji team and 12 international teams from Australia, New Zealand and Thailand. Made up of five competitors each team also included a Fijian staff member from one of Accor’s four Fiji hotels supporting the race -Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa, Novotel Nadi, Mercure Hotel Nadi and Tradewinds Hotel and Convention Centre Suva. Prior to the race all the competitors visited Lautoka Hospital to witness first hand how the money they raised was being spent and the significant difference it is making, and will continue to make, for young Fijian children. “It is certainly an uplifting experience to go to those hospitals and actually see the results of everyone’s efforts with the lifesaving equipment that has been donated and understand just how important it is to the children,” said Paul Richardson Accor Vice President New Zealand and Fiji. “I am very proud of all our staff who have been so involved with this race which is all about the kids in Fiji.” Mr Richardson said Accor is committed to continuing its support for Cure Kids Fiji and would ultimately like to expand the Accor Race to Survive to Cure Kids which is held every two years to include other teams besides Accor employees. The Accor Race to Survive to Cure Kids is as much about fundraising as participating and this year the fundraising competition was intense with honours going to the Against All Odds team raising almost FJ$23,000. The Crash and Burn team raised almost $21,000 and Team Sa Yawa just under $19,000.
October 24th 2008: EMOTIONAL FINISH FOR TEAMS COMPETING IN THE 2008 ACCOR RACE TO SURVIVE TO CURE KIDS Emotions were running high as competitors in the 2008 Accor Race to Survive to Cure Kids crossed the finish line after a five day multisport event in Fiji, held to raise funds for Cure Kids Fiji to provide essential equipment for local hospitals, for the benefit of young Fijians. The race began on October 20 and traversed a range of country and terrain including a 26 kilometre paddle by outrigger canoe to Vomo Island. Two days was spent competing on the island before the teams paddled back to the mainland yesterday, participating in mountain biking, running and swimming sections before completing the race outside the Sofitel Hotel Resort & Spa late this morning The final swim at Denarau Following the final run on Denerau Island today the teams crossed the line together in a moving finish spurred on by 300 young school children who provided a guard of honour. Many of the competitors were visibly moved after completing the race particularly when the young Fijians, supported by local musicians and Fiji warriors, broke into song followed by a traditional prayer. “They have spent months building up for this and have raised a lot of money for Cure Kids Fiji. It is understandable that they feel like this because they are so passionate about the cause,” said Race Director Paul Clark. A quick break before the final run A number of competitors also took part in the inaugural 2006 Accor Race to Survive to Cure Kids race and have signalled they want to return for a third time. “I wouldn’t miss it, I really want to be involved again,” said Lee Watkins of the Accor Blacks Team. “This is a great event and I think it will just keep on getting better. I love being part of it for both the racing and the cause.” First time competitor Virginia Hamilton of the Bula Billabongs loved the experience and did not want the race to be over. The Bula Billabongs coming home “In my heart I could keep on going although I don’t know about my body,” she confessed as she completed the 15 kilometre mountain bike ride from the Novotel Nadi to the Sofitel Hotel Resort & Spa this morning. Former Australian Olympic silver and bronze swimming medallist Geoff Huegill who has been part of the event, providing motivational support, was on hand for the final two kilometre swim this morning, personally welcoming each swimmer as they came out of the water. “This has been a great race to be part of and it is great to see money being raised in this way for the Fijian children,” he said. The performance of competitors improved as the race progressed and the last two days were “superb,” according to Paul Clark. “In the 2006 event there were a lot of fit people who peaked too early and dropped away. In this race they showed continual improvement and the highlight was the paddle back from Vomo Island to Port Vuda when they shaved almost forty minutes off their time going over.” This had an extremely positive effect on the group. “They were quite buoyant after that and absolutely ripped into the bike riding yesterday afternoon on a tough course in the Votualevu area and performed very well. Don’t forget these guys have been up at 4.30am or 5.00am every morning and sleeping rough.” Mr Clark said the Fijian competitors add a real x-factor to the event. One local team of five Fijians entered and every overseas team also had a Fijian team member. “They have a fantastic spirit and they make a great contribution to the race with their attitude which, like all the competitors, is that they want to ‘do it for the kids.’” The final fundraising total will be announced at a gala dinner at the Sofitel Hotel Resort & Spa tonight.
Thursday 23rd October: RECORD PADDLING TIME SET BY TEAMS COMPETING IN THE 2008 ACCOR RCE TO SURVIVE TO CURE KIDS IN FIJI A new record paddle by outrigger canoe from Vomo Island to Port Vuda in Fiji, was set today in the Accor Race to Survive to Cure Kids, when lead teams completed the 26 kilometre course in just two and a half hours. Race Director Paul Clark says it was a fantastic result and an hour faster than the crossing to Vomo Island on Tuesday (October 22). Bailing out during the row back from Vomo “Everyone put in the hard yards and it was great to see the teams working together. The Fijians looked outstanding but so too did some of the overseas teams whose paddling techniques have become very proficient.” Thirteen teams from Fiji, Australia, New Zealand and Thailand, representing Accor Hotels, are competing in the event raising money for Cure Kids Fiji. The funds are used to buy essential equipment and medical supplies for hospitals in Fiji, to benefit children. Today’s challenging paddle was held in relatively calm conditions and competitors were excited about completing the course in record time. Sporting a cut nose as a result of the Outrigger change over “The paddling is one of the highlights but every day in this event is a good day,” says Hugo Johnston captain of the Sa Yawa team. “It is a privilege to compete in it and be part of Cure Kids Fiji.” Team mate Elizabeth Gaultieri agrees. “To see what Cure Kids Fiji has been able to achieve for the hospitals and the children makes it all worthwhile. There is a lot more to do and we are motivated to help.” Once back in Nadi a 22 kilometre bike ride through the hills of Votualevu was staged in intense humid conditions. The demanding and hilly course reversed the mountain bike ride held on Tuesday morning and competitors were pleased to tackle the track again. “It was a very gutsy ride and the conditions were not easy,” says Clark. “But again everyone loved the course and the spectacular scenery. It’s another side of Fiji.” A pause during the cycle The mountain bike section finished at Novotel Nadi where the teams are again camped for the night before taking on the final day of the event tomorrow. It includes a 15 kilometre mountain bike ride, a two kilometre swim and a five kilometre run finishing at Sofitel Hotel Resort & Spa. All the competitors will run across the finish line together underlining the co-operative spirit of the race. A gal a dinner will be held tomorrow night and the fundraising total for the event announced. Organisers hope to achieve more than $FJ251,000 which was raised in the inaugural 2006 Accor Race to Survive to Cure Kids. Wednesday 22nd October: THE RACE TO SURVIVE TO CURE KIDS CONTINUES COMPETITION ON FIJI’S VOMO ISLAND The third day of the 2008 Accor Race to Survive to Cure Kids might have been described as a “recovery day” by Race Director Paul Clark but it is unlikely competitors would agree with him after completing an arduous early morning run on a steep track on Fiji’s Vomo Island. The 13 teams arrived at Vomo Island yesterday by outrigger canoe and today a five kilometre run took them on a course to a spectacular high point on the island with stunning 360 degree views. A three kilometre swim was held in near perfect flat calm conditions followed by an outrigger canoe sprint which was the highlight of the day. The all Fijian team, Team Kai Viti, was an easier winner of its first heat showing off the skilful techniques the Fijians are renowned for. But in the final luck was not with them after their boat tipped when several canoes became congested. Line honours went to Team Trinity led by Stefan Kracke, which was a clear winner after placing second in their heat. Victorious Team Trinity after the Outrigger Sprints “We were pretty happy with the result,” says team member Diane Ivamyand. “After getting second in the heat we knew it would be tough up against the Fijians.” The sprint was marked by numerous capsizes particularly as teams tried to turn around the halfway buoy at the same time. Team Kai Viti captain Tuma Duikete says all his team members work for different departments at Accor Hotels in Fiji and there were many people who wanted to be included in the team. Team Kai Viti take to the water and Captain Tuma Duikete “We see that the race is for a very good cause. My own four-year-old daughter has been sick and in Lautoka Hospital and I know firsthand that they need more equipment and medicine. Our team’s main motivation is for the kids and it is good for us to do this race.” He says they have trained hard in the swimming, canoeing and running disciplines but because his team members do not own mountain bikes it has been difficult to train for this sector of the race. “The biking is challenging for us but we are enjoying being with the other teams and knowing money will be raised for our Fijian kids.” The inaugural Accor Race to Survive to Cure Kids was held in 2006, and race director for the event, Murray Davison is a competitor this year in Team Tao Asia. He says he was proud of being part of the organising committee which raised $FJ251,000 and while he has been involved his year in sourcing sponsorship, this time he also wanted to see the event from “the other side.” Tuesday 21st October - FRESH CHALLENGES FOR TEAMS COMPETING IN FIJI MULTSPORT RACE Competitors in the 2008 Accor Race to Survive to Cure Kids had to dig deep today on the second day of the event, paddling by outrigger canoe from Vuda Point to Vomo Island as part of the five day multisport event, which is raising funds for Cure Kids Fiji to support hospitals in the region. At first light this morning the competitors took part in a demanding mountain bike ride on back country tracks on the outskirts of Nadi through the back hills of Volalevu. The undulating 30km ride travelled through spectacular country and competitors were impressed with the scenery which showcased parts of Fiji not often seen by visitors. "Camp" at Novotel Nadi - Designed for natural living and competitors enjying a touch of tarmac before hitting the rough. Following the mountain bike ride the outrigger canoeing section, which for many is the most daunting part of the event, began from the port of Vuda. Several support boats donated their time and services to assist with the canoeing which saw competitors swapping in and out of the outriggers throughout the gruelling crossing. Teams were very upbeat after the canoeing , arriving at Vomo Island where a camp has been set up for the following two days.
Team Trinity captain Stefan Kracke says the canoeing saw everyone pulling together. “There was an incredible spirit on our boat and we all worked hard as a team. It was a great feeling.” Race Director Paul Clark is delighted with the event to date. “We had a bit of a shaky start on the bikes this morning with some crashes and equipment failures but the ride through the Volalevu area was great. We had lots of local obstacles, school buses, trucks and even a cow but we got through it all.” The outrigger canoeing section far exceeded his expectations. “Compared to the 2006 event this was far superior. We only had one canoe flip today whereas we had about ten the first time round. We had wonderful conditions which made the transition easier and the first boats completed the course in about three and a half hours.” Young local helmsmen from the Nadi Bay Rowing Club also took part assisting the teams as they made their way to Vomo Island, paddling the full distance without a break. “They did an amazing job along with local expert Stan Oones who provided training for the competitors and assisted us throughout the entire trip.” Tomorrow a number of events are planned in and around Vomo Island including a run, a swim and a canoe sprint. “Tomorrow is more of a recovery day, it’ll be easier,” says Clark. “On Thursday we will be back into it with another outrigger canoeing section back to the mainland followed by a 22km bike ride.” The amount raised from the Accor Race to Survive to Cure Kids will be announced at a gala dinner at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa.
Monday 20th October - Competitors complete first tough day of Race to Survive Three hundred schoolchildren lined the start this morning outside the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa to cheer on the 13 teams of Accor employees from Fiji, Australia, New Zealand and Thailand competing in the event. The multisport race began with an 8km run around Denerau Island and competitors faced hot, challenging conditions. “It‘s hotter out here than it is in our hotel kitchen,” quipped chef Ben Bolwell of the Crash and Burn team. But although it was tough the competitors kept up the race mantra throughout –“we’re doing it for the kids.”
The run was followed by a three kilometre swim in the sea in front of Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa which many of the competitors found gruelling but most finished. Former Australian Olympic silver and bronze medallist swimmer Geoff Huegill provided the highlight of the swim, when he accompanied the field finishing alongside the first swimmer home, keen athlete John Dickson of the Crash and Burn team. Huegill, who has held eight world butterfly records and won five Commonwealth gold medals, is working with the race organisers motivating and mentoring teams. “I am very happy to be here and be part of this great event,” he says. “Cure Kids Fiji is obviously making a significant contribution to children’s health in Fiji.”
The final event of the day, a 30 km mountain bike ride which took in some rough and muddy off road sections through Fiji villages, causing spills for some, finished at the Novotel Nadi, after a police escort through the busy Nadi streets. Race Director Paul Clark says the support from the police was outstanding. “The first day has gone extremely well and there has been a fantastic spirit shown by the entire group. It is great to have the race underway and everybody is really enjoying it.” Tomorrow the teams take on a major challenge with a 26km paddle by outrigger canoe to Vomo Island. On Wednesday further stages of the race will be held in and around Vomo Island before returning to the mainland on Thursday.
Sunday 19th October - One day before the start of the Accor Race to Survive to Cure Kids - Fiji Islands Competitors participating in the 2008 Accor Race to Survive to Cure Kids in Fiji starting in Denerau tomorrow (October 20) witnessed first hand today the impact their fundraising activities have in substantially improving children’s facilities at Lautoka and Nadi hospitals. Over $FJ300,000 has been raised since Cure Kids Fiji was established in 2006 by Accor Hotels in Fiji and the Cure Kids charity and significant lifesaving equipment has been purchased for local hospitals to benefit the young children of Fiji. Thirteen teams of Accor employees will start their five day challenging multisport race tomorrow running, swimming, mountain biking and outrigger canoeing around a course from Denerau to Vomo Island and back to Denerau finishing at the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa on Friday (October 24). Two hundred young Fijian children will be at the start line tomorrow to farewell the teams highlighting the event mantra that “the race is all about the kids.” While the competitors spent part of today training they also visited Lautoka Hospital, the main beneficiary to date for medical equipment and supplies donated by Cure Kids Fiji. Lautoka Hospital’s head paediatrician Dr Rigamoto Taito says in particular state-of-the-art incubators supplied for the hospital’s neo-natal ward have vastly improved the care for premature babies and removed stress for staff. “As well as providing a better service for sick children the arrival of the new equipment has lifted the morale of staff significantly. Everyone wants to work in this ward now, it is the best ward in the hospital thanks to the new equipment.” Today also marked the presentation for the first time of much needed equipment to Nadi Hospital. At a ceremony at the hospital attended by members of the Nadi Hospital Board and head doctor, Dr Whippy, Accor Hotel’s representative Paul Stevens (formerly General Manager of Sofitel Fiji and now the Director of Operations for Accor in Thailand) handed over the equipment which included a criticare monitor, paediatric probes, nebulisers, an infusion pump and a laryngyscope. “Accor employees hope to raise even more money in this year’s event for medical equipment because we want to help keep kids in Fiji alive and healthy and ensure the future of Fiji. The new equipment will also allow doctors and nurses to do their jobs properly.”
Sevu sevu - the Welcome at Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa.
Race to Survive Competitors (a few of which were there for the 2006 event) visiting Nadi Hospital to deliver much needed medical equipment.
Competitors outside lautoka Hospital including Dianne Ivany (far right) of the Picton Yacht Club in New Zealand who became a Grandmother for the sixth time this morning.
Baby Merewai is currently in Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit at Nadi Hospital. Due to the Incubators purchased by Cure Kids Fiji her chance of survival has been dramatically increased. FROM RACE DIRECTOR TO COMPETITOR Murray Davison was Race Director for the inaugural Accor Race to Survive to Cure Kids in 2006. But this year he has a new role as a competitor in Team Tao “The Turtle.” He explains why he wanted to be further involved in the event. After living in Fiji for the past three years, myself and my family have a natural emotional tie to the Fijian people. We are very fortunate to have maintained many great friendships in the islands, and have very regular contact with many people here. My kids see themselves as Fijians rather than Aussies, and this is a very special part of their lives. During our time in Fiji we certainly gained a great insight to the amazing need in the Fijian medical system, but in particular the need for the children of the country. While many in the media seem to have negative views on the political situation, what is often missed is an amazing culture, and an incredibly passionate and caring people. Unfortunately however the infrastructure is under increasing pressure through lack of funding, and we cannot sit idle and do nothing. In 2006 I was part of the organising committee who coordinated the Race to Survive. Although a naturally challenging event to organise and facilitate, the overall reward far out weighed any effort put in by me or the team. Not only by raising the $250K of funds, but also raising the awareness of the incredible need in Fiji. Now in 2008 and living in NZ, there was no way I could not be involved once again. However this time, although still on the sidelines as part of the organising team, I felt I needed to see the event from the other side. Still involved in assisting with gaining support from sponsors as this is an integral part of the event’s success, I also decided to be a competitor. FAR from being an athlete, it has been a challenge throughout in the days of training, but as we say, “its all for the kids.” I have to say I do have the odd, OMG what am I doing moment, but as the name of the event suggests it is a race to “survive” not to go the fastest. So with this thought in mind I will be dragging this almost 40-year-old body around for the five days. I am sure the winter training days in Auckland will do very little to help cope with the heat of Fiji, but with the thought of an ice cold Fiji Bitter at the end of each day, combined with the smiles of those fantastic Fijian kids, all will be okay. Also doing this as a team event is an amazing opportunity to share the emotion. Paul Stevens who in 2006 was another integral part of the organising committee and now living in Thailand is one of my team members, as well as one of our Thailand GM’s Erwann Mahe, and then as a late addition New Zealand’s very own Jim Moore, GM at Novotel Queenstown has also joined us. Jim is not stranger to Cure Kids and is a fantastic supporter of the charity in NZ, so to have his passion for the Fiji event is great. Add a local Fijian Accor staff member and you have team Tao, which is Thai for Turtle. Some say having the Turtle as our mascot will see us FLY through the water, however I think it represents the relevant SLOW speed we will be moving over the five days! So come Monday the 20th I know myself and all competitors will be pumped and ready to go. Then come Friday the 24th as we are running up to the finish line at Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa all thoughts of pain will disappear, as we all realise what an amazing amount of good we have done for a country of amazing people, but more importantly the future of that country - its kids! IT’S FOR THE KIDS Since Cure Kids Fiji was launched in 2006 over FJ$300,000 has already been raised to provide the children of Fiji with essential medicines and equipment. The entire annual budget for medical equipment for the West Coast of Fiji is just FJ$200,000. Over 400,000 people live on the West Coast which equates to just 50 cents per person. NADI HOSPITAL Some of the Cure Kids Fiji team made a recent visit and had meetings with medical staff at Nadi Hospital. They have some basic but essential items that we will purchase immediately from existing funds that will immediately improve the odds for the children of Fiji. These include:
There are a myriad of other items that are needed and some big ticket items such as a traveling incubator which literally can make the difference between life and death when baby needs to be transported from Nadi to Lautoka Hospital for more specialist care. This is where some of the funds raised from this years Race to Survive will go. LAUTOKA HOSPITAL There is still an enormous need but some real wins have already been achieved due to the funds that have been raised. Some of the items that have been purchased for the Lautoka Paediatric ward include:
Lautoka Hospital’s head paediatrician Dr Rigamoto Taito says the hospital is overwhelmed by the support being provided through Accor and Cure Kids Fiji. “One of the most vulnerable times in life is during childhood and the other is during sickness and all we can say from the hospital is thank you for putting children first. Brand new equipment can only lift the level of care we provide and facilitate better monitoring and nursing of our sick children. It has also helped lift the moral of staff significantly” PROTECTING THE FUTURE A key mandate of Cure Kids Fiji is to ensure that all equipment provided can be maintained and replaced in the future. Upon receiving the “wish lists” these are submitted to appropriate medical specialists in New Zealand to ensure that the right model is purchased and can be technically serviced in Fiji. Some Cure Kids Fiji money will always remain in an interest bearing account to enable Cure Kids Fiji to replace equipment such as incubators for example in the years to come. WORKING AT THE TOP OF THE HILL No one would ever dispute that prevention is profoundly better than cure. The need is great in Fiji and it is therefore rare that you can visualise the “ambulance at the top of the cliff”. However, this is about to be achieved through a screening programme being undertaken by Dr Ben Reeves of Lautoka Hospital. Cure Kids Fiji has purchased a Transportable Rapid Echo Machine. This piece of equipment will be used to detect children with rheumatic fever at an early stage so they can be given preventative treatment before they get often life threatening heart disease as a result of the fever. Field tests were undertaken in June 2008 in the Yasawa’s in June. Initially a further 700 echo screenings will be conducted at Lautoka, Viseisei and Vuda Schools. The Echo Machine is also an ongoing integral piece of equipment that will be used for Outreach Clinics and in the hospital when very ill patients cannot be moved to the Echo Room. Understandably there is resistance to move the “non-moveable” Echo to the patient as it is over FJ$100,000 to replace.
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