Accor Team Members ‘Race to Survive’ on the Gold Coast

More than 280 Accor team members from across Australia and New Zealand converged on the Gold Coast last week (15 - 18 October) to successfully complete the hospitality group's bi-annual four-day 'Race to Survive' adventure challenge, raising over $530,000 for the Accor Community Fund to date.

The Accor Community Fund is committed to Building Healthy Families by supporting the three focus areas of youth, health and wellbeing and inclusion. Contributions to the community fund goes towards Accor's five community partners Kokoda Youth Foundation, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Lifeline, the Australian Childhood Foundation and AIME Mentoring.

Accor Chief Operating Officer Pacific, Simon McGrath, said Race to Survive brings out the very best of Accor and together the business contributes to the Australian community under the Accor Community Fund.

"Race to Survive is our flagship charity event and the most important team member engagement program we run, as hundreds of employees from across Australia and New Zealand come together to push their boundaries, have some fun and raise money for five fantastic charities," Mr McGrath said.

"Earlier this year we set a goal to raise one million dollars for the Accor Community Fund and, through fundraising events, we aim to raise this by the end of 2019."

"We are incredibly proud of what the teams have achieved to date, with funds raised going directly to specific projects that deliver considerable outcomes for our partners."

This year, race participants were put to the test with daily activities designed to push them both physically and mentally. Taking them from the Gold Coast Hinterland to Surfers Paradise Beach, activities included a 28km Kokoda trail hike and the infamous Raw Challenge, a 9km, 50 obstacle course in Queensland's Numinbah Valley.

To find out more about the specific projects we fund or to support the Accor Community Fund, click here.

The Accor Community Fund

The Accor Community Fund is committed to Building Healthy Families by supporting the three focus areas of Youth, Health & Wellbeing and Inclusion. Contributions to the community fund goes towards the fund's five foundation partners Kokoda Youth Foundation, Lifeline, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, The Australian Childhood Foundation and AIME Mentoring.

Kokoda Youth Foundation

Kokoda Youth Foundation has grown from a single youth program and event (Kokoda Challenge Youth Program and The Kokoda Challenge) to a range of programs, events and camps around Australia, influencing the lives of thousands of young people every year. Fundraising efforts help expand the reach of Kokoda Youth Foundation's On the Right Track Program.

Lifeline

Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24-hour support and suicide prevention services. Suicide is becoming increasingly prevalent in Australia and somewhere in Australia, there is a new call to Lifeline every minute. Fundraising efforts help expand access to Lifeline's crisis services including the development of their digital response services over the next three years.

Garvan Institute of Medical Research

Garvan Institute of Medical Research is a multi-disciplinary research and clinical trial facility with more than 600 scientists and PhD students working across six major research divisions to develop future preventions, treatments and cures. Fundraising efforts help invest in the Garvan Institute's Rare and Neglected Cancer Research Program.

AIME Mentoring

Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) provides a structured educational program for Indigenous kids to access throughout their high school experience. AIME has been running since 2005 and students completing the program are proven to finish school and transition to university, training, further education and employment at the same rate as every Australian child. Fundraising efforts help AIME to reach 20,000 Indigenous kids by the end of 2021 and see hundreds more progressing into a positive post school pathway across Australia.

Australian Childhood Foundation

Australian Childhood Foundation is a leading, national organisation supporting children to recover from the trauma of abuse, neglect and family violence. We provide specialised therapeutic services to children to help them heal. We also educate and empower communities to safeguard children from abuse. We believe all children have the right to a safe and loving childhood. Fundraising efforts will support our specialised therapeutic care teams helping to bring love and safety back to the lives of children and changing their stories around living with the devastating impacts of trauma arising from abuse and family violence.

About Accor, a world-leading hospitality group

Accor is a world leading hospitality group offering experiences across more than 110 countries in 5,600 properties, 10,000 food & beverage venues, wellness facilities or flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industry's most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing more than 45 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as Lifestyle with Ennismore. Accor is committed to taking positive action in terms of business ethics & integrity, responsible tourism, sustainable development, community outreach, and diversity & inclusion. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and publicly listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information, please visit www.group.accor.com or follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok. 

Alexandra Purser
Communications Executive, Accor Pacific
Accor