The Civil Aid Service (CAS) held the Launching Ceremony of the Hiking Safety Promotion Campaign with several government departments and mountaineering organisations at Pak Tam Chung PHAB Site, Sai Kung today (May 3).　The Commissioner of the CAS, Dr Ernest Lee; the Chief Staff Officer of the CAS, Mr Cheung Tat-yin; the Acting Government Security Officer of the Security Bureau, Mr Michael Yung; the District Commander (Wong Tai Sin) of the Hong Kong Police Force, Mr James Betts; the Acting Assistant Director of the Hong Kong Observatory, Mr Lee Lap-shun; the Chief Staff Officer of the Auxiliary Medical Service, Mr Sam Hui; the Acting Senior Country Parks Officer (Ranger Services) of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Mr Alfred Wong; the Acting Divisional Officer (Kowloon Central) of the Fire Services Department, Mr Lai Wai-hei; and the Chairman of the Hong Kong Hiking Association, China, Mr Johnny Chow, officiated at the Ceremony.

     Many hikers were attracted to the countryside by the sunny weather. About 1 000 people attended the ceremony at Pak Tam Chung.

     Dr Lee presented the appointment certificates to the Hiking Safety Ambassadors at the ceremony. In addition to expedition leaders and CAS trainers, 4 artists including Joel Chan, Ali Lee, Kellyjackie and Marine Lee were also be appointed as Honorary Hiking Safety Ambassadors to assist in the promotion of safe hiking. After the ceremony, the guests and ambassadors walked to the starting point of a nearby trail to convey the message of "Put Safety First When Hiking".

     The purpose of the campaign is to raise public awareness of hiking safety to prevent accidents and teach the public what to do and how to self-rescue in case of accidents. A series of activities will be held under the campaign, which include distributing hiking safety checklists and gifts at starting points of popular hiking trails to convey the message of "Put Safety First When Hiking", organising talks and promoting through the multi-media on hiking safety and accident handling procedures.

Ends/Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:14

NNNN