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The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) was the main sponsor of Oxfam Trailwalker in Belgium this year, in which over 200 teams of four people each walked 100 kilometres within 30 hours in one of the most beautiful regions of Belgium, the Hautes-Fagnes, on the August 29 to 30 (Brussels time), raising over EUR500,000 (HK$4.35 million) for charity.
Originated in Hong Kong in 1986, Oxfam Trailwalker is a perfect illustration of the can-do and upbeat spirit of Hong Kong people and an ideal way to promote the Asia's world city. The event raised the awareness that Hong Kong is also a city with lots of green areas.
Speaking at the opening ceremony in Eupen last Friday (August 28), the Acting Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Miss Drew Lai, said that while one may easily associate Hong Kong with skyscrapers, financial services and fast-paced city life, one may be surprised to learn that it is the birthplace of the Oxfam Trailwalker, which has been introduced to 16 cities in 10 countries.
"Small as we are, over 75 per cent of Hong Kong's land is green areas. We have a landscape rising from sandy beaches and rocky foreshores to heights of almost 1 000 metres, with woodlands and mountain ranges covered by open grassland and a variety of scenic vistas rarely, if ever, matched in so small a territorial unit," Miss Lai said.
The "Hong Kong Can Do" team, which comprised the Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels, Miss Alice Choi, and team members from Latvia, Mainland China and the Netherlands, completed the 100-kilometre walk.
To enhance the Hong Kong experience, tourism information about Hong Kong, in particular its country parks and hiking routes, was made available at the Hong Kong booth set up by the HKETO, Brussels. Participants and volunteers could also obtain special edition postcards, with some of the most beautiful scenery of Hong Kong, to mail to their families and friends. All participants passed through the Hong Kong checkpoint located mid-way on the trail, where traditional Hong Kong-style herbal tea and biscuits were offered as refreshments.
The team that raised the most funds for the good causes was awarded vouchers for a meal at a Hong Kong-style Chinese restaurant in Belgium. Under the title "Oxfam Trailwalker, full of emotions", participants were encouraged to upload their photos of the Oxfam Trailwalker weekend onto Oxfam's Facebook page, with the chance to win an invitation to a Hong Kong gala dinner to be hosted by the HKETO, Brussels in October this year.
The First Vice-President of the European Committee of the Regions and President of the Parliament of the German-speaking Community in Belgium, Mr Karl-Heinz Lambertz, was the guest of honour at the opening ceremony. Last Saturday, while the main event was underway, a number of VIPs took part in a VIP walk to experience the challenge and cheer fellow participants. They included Polar Explorer, Founder and President of the International Polar Foundation, Mr Alain Hubert; the CEO of the Special Olympics European Games 2014, Ms Catalina Daniëls; and the Chairman of the Belgium-Hong Kong Society, Mr Piet Steel.
Ends/Monday, August 31, 2015
Issued at HKT 23:45
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