Mission Australia receives boost from Accor Hotels
More than 20 teams from Accor hotels across the country spent three days racing around the Blue Mountains on a gruelling adventure race to benefit homeless and disadvantaged people supported through Mission Australia.
The second annual ‘Accor Race to Survive: Mission Possible Australia’ fundraising event has raised an incredible $260,000 for five Mission Australia services located across the country. This result combined with the funds raised from the inaugural Race to Survive event in 2011 means that Accor has now donated half a million dollars to the charity in just two years.
This year, hotel teams pledged to raise at least $10,000 each and competed in an action-packed three-day adventure race which included wilderness trekking through the spectacular Blue Mountains, abseiling, trail running, orienteering, kayaking, dragon boat racing, white water rafting, community challenges and camping. The team from Novotel Wollongong Northbeach – The Gong Gladiators – took home the Race to Survive trophy for the second year in a row.
All funds raised from Accor Hotel employees and ‘Race to Survive’ will help Mission Australia combat homelessness, empower youth, strengthen families and provide pathways to employment.
The five Mission Australia services to benefit include: The Mission Australia Centre (MAC) – creating pathways away from homelessness (Sydney); Charcoal Lane – providing pathways to employment for Indigenous youth (Melbourne); Circles of Care – creating brighter futures for children and healthier communities (Cairns); Cafe One on Wickham - connecting people and combating homelessness (Brisbane) and Youth Accommodation and Support Services (YASS) – providing pathways to a successful youth (Perth).
Accor has been a proud partner of Mission Australia for a number of years and is committed to helping those in need through Race to Survive.
“Our hotels are very much part of their local communities and are committed to giving back through our partnership with Mission Australia. Race to Survive is just one initiative where our staff can come together from all corners of the country for a common cause and help others in need.
“We are once again thrilled to be able to support a number of Mission Australia services through Race to Survive and help the charity transform the lives of those less fortunate,” said Accor Chief Operating Officer Pacific, Simon McGrath.
Mission Australia CEO, Toby Hall says, “Overcoming disadvantage is challenging and complex, but through the support of initiatives such as Race to Survive: Mission Possible we can transform the lives of more people and create a fairer Australia for all.”
Source: Accommodation Association of Australia, 5 November 2012
