Oxfam Trailwalker UK 2008

Trailwalker UK 2008 TM

The most life-changing, foot-slogging, friendship-forming, group-hugging greatest team experience.

Ever.

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Memories of the first 14 hours: “Brilliant weather on the first day and an amazing sunset; the foot baths provided by our wonderful support crew.�

Emma Terleske All quotes in this brochure are from previous Trailwalker participants but not necessarily those pictured.

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Sometimes – maybe just once-in-a-lifetime – you get the chance to achieve something really great. A chance to prove something to yourself. Something to give you that ‘wow’ factor.

Trailwalker is one of those chances.

It’s a challenging journey of discovery that will change lives for ever – including yours.

And every journey begins with a first step.

Four people, one goal, 100 kilometres, 30 hours.

Your time starts now.

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What is Trailwalker?

Trailwalker is a 100-kilometre trek for teams of four – over 30 hours in tough conditions. It’s about teamwork and self-respect. Mainly, the route follows the stunning South Downs Way, finishing in Brighton.

Trailwalker tests a range of skills: team work, stamina, endurance, navigation, and self-discipline. It offers you the chance to make new friends, to get out, get fit, and to raise money for Oxfam and the Gurkha Welfare Trust. These organisations share a purpose – to end poverty and to help poor people to improve their lives.

How does it feel?

The blisters and the ‘buzz’.

Trailwalker is a tough challenge, it’s true. But from the time you start putting your team together, through training and fundraising, to crossing the line, yours will be a unique and unforgettable journey. It will make a difference to the way you feel about yourself, your team mates, support crew, and maybe even life itself!

How did it all start?

The first Trailwalker was held more than 25 years ago by the Queen’s Gurkha Signals Regiment (QGS), in Hong Kong, as a training exercise.

Trailwalker UK has since grown into a major fundraising event for Oxfam and the Gurkha Welfare Trust (GWT). Today, Trailwalker takes place in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Japan, and England – and it’s still growing!

people all over the world. People who

Trailwalker UK is organised by Oxfam and the QGS – the beneficiaries being Oxfam and the GWT.

are working their way out of poverty.

State Street is the principal sponsor

And most importantly, the money you raise will make a huge difference to

of Trailwalker, and has sponsored Trailwalker events around the globe.

Trailwalker UK takes place on 19 + 20 July 2008.

Time to find out more

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“When I first signed up for Trailwalker, I really thought of it as a personal challenge – now I understand that it is the utimate team event. We couldn’t have finished it without each other – walkers and supporters alike.”

Clare Hallett

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More memories: “Getting caught in the thunderstorm right on top of the ridge during Stage 9; that feeling of ‘Oh my god what am I doing?’ at the half-way point.” Mhairi Coyle

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So what’s in it for you?

As well as the ‘wow’ factor, and the profound, life-changing sense of achievement, you mean?

Well, we’ll look after you and your team mates on every step of your Trailwalker journey with heaps of materials, advice, support and facilities.

Before

At the end

You’ll receive a whole suite of

A huge cheer and medal for every

fundraising and training materials,

finisher! And hot showers, a genuine

as well as online support at:

Gurkha curry, drinks, and volunteers

www.oxfam.org.uk/trailwalker and a

permitting, a massage from qualified

contact at Oxfam for personal advice.

sports therapists; a very warm glow

At the start

and incredible sense of achievement!

Experience a special ‘night before’

Afterwards

atmosphere, with free camping and feast

That sense of achievement stays

to set you up for the challenge ahead.

with you. And there’s a special

On the way We set up checkpoints where you can

Trailwalker celebration evening, where we give out a great range of prizes and awards.

meet up with your support crew, receive emergency First Aid cover, and get huge motivation and moral support from Oxfam and the Gurkhas. We’ll even throw in a hot meal at Checkpoint 7!

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What do I need?

A team leader and team

Support crew

Trailwalker is a team challenge –

You need a crack team of friends and

so first and foremost, you need a

family to be your support crew. You can’t

Team Leader who can recruit a

complete Trailwalker without one – and

team. Teams of four must sign up

not just because we won’t let you! Your

together, start together, and cross each

support crew will supply you with food,

checkpoint and the Finish Line together.

extra water, minor medical supplies,

Training Most people can complete Trailwalker, but training for it is essential. Even if you’re physically fit already, you need to build up mental strength and stamina, too. Everyone is different – you need to learn about yourself and your needs

seats, shade, and encouragement.

You’ll need them to pack your tent at the start, ferry your waterproofs around in the middle, cheer you over the finishing line, and carry you home when you can’t walk any more. We can’t emphasise how important these people are.

before the event. How often you need

Sole mates

to drink, how tiredness affects you,

Get the right shoes. Seriously.

which footwear you prefer, and so on.

Whether you prefer trainers or hiking

Training with your team will help

boots (or to alternate between them

you to set your pace, and to work

at different stages), get expert advice

out your roles within the team, and

when you buy them. Good footwear can

how best to support each other.

correct your stride and prevent knee, hip, and back pain caused by repetitive impact. Break them in well, have at least one back-up pair, and make sure your feet feel loved. You’ll need them to be on top form.

Time to plan

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“I remember the sunset at the top of a long steep hill near Checkpoint 7 and the lights shining in the darkness. The Gurkhas were amazing, as was the whole experience. The pain was most definitely worth it – it lasts a few days but the memories will last forever.”

Siobhan Ashton-Cleary

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“My memories are of the truly emotional feeling at the end and the amazing reception from family, friends and strangers! The sense that the world was my oyster – if you can complete Trailwalker, you really feel you can do anything!”

Ruth Dickson

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Your dream team Who can enter?

The only criteria are that you are in a team of four including a Team Leader; you have a support crew; and that all walkers are aged 18 or over on the day of the event. Trailwalker is open to teams of friends, colleagues, corporate teams, family teams, university teams, all sorts of teams!

How do I get people interested?

If the quotes in this brochure aren’t enough to help you motivate and recruit your team, there are lots of resources online at: www.oxfam.org.uk/trailwalker And you’ll receive leaflets to help you spread the word!

What sort of team mates do I want?

Make sure everyone brings a quality to the team, whether it’s energy, enthusiasm, organisational skills, fundraising ideas, map-reading skill, or an endless stream of amusing chat.

What if a team mate drops out before the event?

It’s best to plan for this from the start.

As well as your team of four, get others involved – as fundraisers, support crew, or pacers, so if someone drops out, one of those people may be able to step in.

We all work full-time.

Will we have time to train?

Most Trailwalkers work full-time and make it over the Finish Line – and so can you! Training is often about quality not quantity, and you need rest periods between long treks anyway.

Leading the way Some things to consider as you decide who is best-placed to be your Team Leader.

It saves time, money and confusion if the Team Leader acts as the main contact between your team and the Oxfam office – to let us know any changes in your details, for example, if anyone drops out, and is replaced. Team Leaders need to be good at co-ordinating fundraising, training, and logistics. They shouldn’t try and do everything themselves, but they need to keep track and make sure everything is being done.

During Trailwalker, every member of your team will have a low point when they’ll really need support – so it helps if the Team Leader is able to take the lead in cheering them along.

The closing date for registering your team is 31 March 2008.

Places are limited, so it’s better to sign up sooner rather than later!

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Time to go for it So now you’re feeling keen enough to sign up and go for it! Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you on your way.

Step 1 Make sure you’ve read and understood the terms and conditions at the back of this brochure.

Step 2 Recruit your Team Leader and team.

Step 3 Work out your fundraising target – we need to know this when you sign up.

Step 4 Fill out the application form at www.oxfam.org.uk/trailwalker or call 0870 410 5035 if you don’t have Internet access.

You will need all the info on the checklist opposite, as well as your credit card to pay your entry fee.

Well done – you’ve taken your first step!

Sign up!

Step 5 Start thinking about your fundraising and get it underway, using all the tips online, including the e-fundraising facilities.

Step 6 Now’s the time to start training. Trailwalker is an unusual event and it’s hard to find training advice for ultra-distance walks, so we’ve put together a Trailwalker Training and Safety Guide to make sure you’ve got all the info you need to prepare for the event.

Step 7 Come to one of our preparation sessions – it’s best if someone from your team and someone from your support crew come to hear about the event from Oxfam, the Gurkhas, and walkers who have done the event.

Step 8 By now, the rest of your event kit should arrive – a map and directions for the route, an Event Guide for you and your support crew, and Trailwalker t-shirts. Getting excited now?

Step 9 Arrive at the campsite and begin to feel ‘the buzz’.

Step 10 Turn up at the Start Line and have a great time!

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p u n g Si today!

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Team information checklist Make a note of all the information below: Team name Tier (see overleaf) AND pledged amount Team type (ie: friends, work, professional (ie same profession, different employer), club, other) Name of organisation being represented Names and addresses of Team Leader, all Team Members, and Support Team Leader Email addresses of all Team Members Contact phone numbers: daytime, mobile and evenings Oxfam supporter number (if known) Age bracket of team members, ie: 18-25, 26-30, 31-35, 36-40, 41-45, 46-50, 50+ For free t -shirt, size of each of the Team Members S – 94cm,/37”: M – 97-102cm/38-40” L – 104-109cm/41-43” XL – 112-117cm, 44-46” XXL – 119-125cm, 47-49” Any special requirements: (eg dietary)

Now go to www.oxfam.org.uk/trailwalker or phone 0870 410 5035

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Making it all worthwhile – a free massage from a qualified sports therapist at the end of the trail.

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Time to raise money Fundraising can be challenging, but you’re really going to deserve every penny you raise. The more you raise, the more people living in poverty you will help.

Entries for Trailwalker 2008 are split into

amounts can seem huge. But to help

tiers. Choose the tier you wish to enter,

you along, we’ve developed a special

and then choose a specific target for

Fundraising Guide which includes a

your team within that tier. For example,

sponsor form, loads of ideas, and the

you could choose the Silver tier, and

opportunity for online e-fundraising, too.

pledge to raise £4,000. Places within

People are often surprised by how much

each tier are limited, so sign up quickly

they can raise – and how much they

to make sure you get a space in yours.

enjoy doing it. On average, teams raise

If you haven’t done any fundraising

around £2,000, but our top fundraising

before it can seem daunting, and the

team ever, raised more than £20,000!

Trailwalker 2008 fundraising tiers: Standard

£1,500 - £1,999

Bronze

£2,000 - £2,999

Silver

£3,000 - £4,999

Gold

£5,000 - £7,999

Diamond

£8,000 +

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The difference you will make The money you raise will help Oxfam and the Gurkha Welfare Trust in their work to tackle poverty and suffering; changing thousands of lives; and giving hope of a better, more secure future to poor people, their families, and their communities.

Oxfam

The Gurkha Welfare Trust

Oxfam works with people all over the

Money raised for the GWT through

world. Your money could help us to

Trailwalker helps to fund community

provide disaster relief, or help to fund

projects across Nepal. For example,

our long-term development work. Or it

GWT works in partnership with DfID to

might help with our campaigning work –

supply safe, reliable water and promote

pushing for changes that will make the

good hygiene in rural villages. Last year,

world safer and fairer for everyone.

1,006 tap stands were provided and

What your money can do:

17 school latrines built – benefiting 17,077 people in all. The project is part of

Raise £1,500

GWT’s community aid programme,

And it could pay for 11 Oxfam bicycle

which also includes school building

ambulances (£136 each), so that people

and repair work.

in remote villages in Malawi can reach medical care when they need it.

Raise £3,000 And it could allow the GWT to build six tap-stands to provide safe, clean water for a Gurkha village.

Raise £8,000 And GWT could provide an irrigation system for 33 families, helping them to grow more to eat and to sell; improving nutrition, health, and incomes.

Photo: Soldier Magazine

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Boys playing basketball on the beach, Zambales Province, Philippines.

In the coastal waters of this region, Photo: J Holmes/Oxfam

numbers of fish are in serious decline, and

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fishing no longer a reliable source of income for hundreds of families. Oxfam works with local community organisations, helping people to find new ways of making a living and reduce their reliance on fishing.

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Terms and Conditions The Event l Undertake to walk or run 100km in teams along a predetermined route within 30 hours in order to raise, in sponsorship, funds for the beneficiary charities.

Beneficiaries l Acknowledge that Trailwalker UK 2008 is a fundraising event in aid of Oxfam GB (reg. charity no. 202918) and the Gurkha Welfare Trust (reg. charity no. 1034080) exclusively.

Roles and Responsibilities l Acknowledge that the event is organised by

the Queen’s Gurkha Signals Regiment (“QGS”, the organisers) and is promoted by Oxfam GB (UK registered charity 202918, “Oxfam”) in order to raise funds for the beneficiary charities. l Agree to raising as a team the amount stated as the fundraising pledge on the online application form and share collective responsibility for raising this amount.

Fundraising l Understand that the amount of funds raised by your team does not include the sums paid as entry fees, nor the funds which may be subsequently reclaimed by the charities in Gift Aid. l Agree that all funds raised must be paid to Oxfam GB by Oxfam’s stipulated methods by the fundraising deadline of 30 September 2008. l Understand that failing to meet your fundraising pledge may result in refusal from subsequent Oxfam Sponsored Challenges l Agree that no funds raised will be paid to any charity other than Oxfam GB and the Gurkha Welfare Trust.

Entry to the Event l Understand that your application must be

submitted before the entry deadline of 31 March 2008. l Acknowledge that entry is worked on a ‘first-come-first-served’ basis and that once the event has reached capacity no further applications will be accepted. l Agree that valid details for all four team members must be recorded at the point of application, or the application will be deemed void. l Agree that submitting an entry does not automatically guarantee entry to the event. Your place in Trailwalker 2008 is not confirmed until you have received confirmation from Oxfam GB. Liability l Agree that, while neither the Gurkhas nor

Oxfam GB exclude liability for personal injury or death caused by their own negligence, you undertake the event entirely at your own risk and will not hold the Gurkhas and/or Oxfam GB responsible for:

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(a) any damage to, or loss of personal property or (b) any accident or injury which does not result from the negligence of Gurkhas or Oxfam GB arising directly or indirectly or in any manner howsoever out of or in connection with the event.

The Hazardous Nature of the Event l Understand that the event involves sustained physical exercise in a remote area, and may involve walking at night. l Agree that you are responsible for your own fitness to take part in the event, and for consulting a doctor about your participation if necessary. l Understand that the organisers may need to cancel, halt, delay, or re-route the event in response to hazards including fire, flood, path instability, foot and mouth or other such disease.

In such instances, you will be given as much notice as possible, and any necessary alterations will attempt to preserve the nature of the event.

Rules and Regulations l Agree that you must take part in teams of four

people, all of whom must be 18 years of age or more on the day the event starts. l Understand that team members must start

together, remain together on the trail and must check-in at each checkpoint and the Finish point together. Team members may not leave a checkpoint until the whole team has reached that checkpoint. l Agree that a team’s recorded time at each checkpoint and at the Finish will be the time of the last team member. l Acknowledge that it is the team’s responsibility to ensure that they have been correctly checked-in at each checkpoint. l Agree that you may not be transported by vehicle along any portion of the trail or between any points on it, unless you have formally withdrawn from the event. l Agree to wear the wristband and identification number at all times during the event.

Registration l Understand that registration is a mandatory

safety procedure and it is each team’s responsibility to ensure that this is completed in good time prior to its allocated start. l Understand that no substitution is permitted after the team has registered. Registration includes an equipment check to ensure that each team member is adequately equipped to take part. l Agree that if you are deemed by the organisers to be inadequately equipped or prepared you may be disqualified on safety grounds. (A list of essential items is given in the Training Guide). l Smokers agree to smoke only in the designated area provided.

l Agree that only teams that complete the

course as a team of four within the 30-hour time limit, and who entered their team into the relevant award category, will be entered into the official results and qualify for the fastest team awards. There will also be an award for the team displaying ‘best team spirit’, ‘the top fundraising team’, and an ‘overcoming the odds’ award.

Withdrawals and Injuries Before the event: l Agree that substitution of team members is

permitted until 30 June 2008. All changes must be communicated to Oxfam before this date.

During the event: l Agree that any member who is injured or exhausted must be brought to the nearest checkpoint for assistance. If the casualty cannot be moved, one person must stay with them while the remaining members seek help. Under no circumstances is a casualty to be left unattended. l Agree that if you wish to withdraw from the event you must first report to the nearest checkpoint or contact Race Control. l Understand that it is the responsibility of the remaining team members to ensure that the organisers are aware of the withdrawal and may not continue until it has been reported. l Agree that teams of three members will be permitted to start the event or continue in the event if a team mate withdraws somewhere on the course. l Understand that if two team members withdraw, the remaining two may only continue if another team formally accepts responsibility for them for the remainder of the event. l Understand that teams of two may not start the event unless they can be paired with another team of two.

Support Crew l Agree that each team must have a support

crew to provide practical and emotional support on the event. l Understand you must organise your own support crew to transport you to the Start and from the Finish and to provide assistance at checkpoints along the trail. l Agree to communicate to your support crew that they must drive safely, and park safely, without hindering the flow of traffic or endangering the safety of participants and other people.

Disqualification l Understand that failing to wear identification

numbers, failing to comply with safety order notices issued by QGS, or acting dangerously or unfairly to gain advantage during the event may result in disqualification.

Marketing

Results and Awards

l Agree that that images and interview material

l Agree that only registered participants who

taken on the day of all participants and support crew members may be used by Oxfam to promote Trailwalker and Oxfam Sponsored Challenge Events in the future.

complete the 100km trail will receive a medal and certificate.

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State Street is the principal sponsor for the third year running of Trailwalker UK. State Street has a long history of involvement with Trailwalker around the globe and has in the past sponsored Trailwalker events in Australia, Hong Kong and Japan. State Street is the world’s leading provider of financial services to institutional investors, with $13.04 trillion in assets under custody and $1.93 trillion assets under management (as of 30 June 2007).

On your marks...

Photographs, other than those already credited: Karen Robinson, Craig Richardson, Christian Guthier

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The Oxfam Trailwalker Team, Oxfam House, John Smith Drive, Cowley, Oxford, OX4 2JY

For photos of last year’s event, visit: www.flickr.com/groups/trailwalkeruk2007

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Oxfam GB is a member of Oxfam International. Registered Charity No. 202918. GWT Registered Charity No. 1103669 gwt.org.uk inhouse 3444a Trailwalker UK is a QGS trademark.

www.oxfam.org.uk/trailwalker • 0870 410 5035 • trailwalker@oxfam.org.uk

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