Oxfam is Australia's leading agency working with communities around the world for solutions to poverty and social injustice.
1
Wednesday 6 January, 2010
Race around Perth for people in poverty:
Oxfam Australia
Oxfam Australia needs teams of three to race around the streets of Perth to raise money for its
humanitarian aid and development work around the world.
The Rat Race challenge, which was postponed from November, will be held for the first time in
Perth on February 13-14 and will involve a number of people riding, kayaking, climbing and
abseiling on a whirlwind adventure through the city’s streets.
Oxfam Australia is the event’s charity partner, and teams who register through the Oxfam website
receive 50 per cent off the race registration fee if they commit to fundraising for the organisation.
Oxfam Australia Spokesperson Leigh Stewart said that funds from the event would provide the
organisation with vital funds for its work helping people in poverty.
“We hope Perth-siders rally behind the Rat Race, as not only will it be a very memorable
adventure, but it will help us raise vital funds for people in need around the world,” Ms Stewart
said.
“Fundraising will help our work including our assistance to communities affected by this week’s
earthquakes and tsunami in the Solomon Islands, and our ongoing response to the Indonesia
earthquake, Philippines typhoon and Samoa tsunami that devastated our region this year,” Ms
Stewart said.
The Rat Race event involves a choice between two challenges: the ‘Mean Streets Prologue’ held
‘on-foot’ on Saturday, February 13, from 5-8pm. Teams must make their way around Perth
walking and running through various check-points and participants must fundraise at least $100
per person for Oxfam.
Alternatively, people can choose the ‘Total Adventure’, which carries over to Sunday and involves
racing around the city by boat, bike and rope, raising at least $200 per person for Oxfam.
Donna Thomas, a medical student from Northbridge, is completing the challenge with her
husband Matthew Thomas and friend Rohan Vandongen, and has already raised $645 for
Oxfam’s work. “We buy a lot of things from the Oxfam Shop and we love mountain climbing, so
supporting Oxfam through the Rat Race seemed perfect,” Ms Thomas said.
Paddy Cullen, a campaigner for Oxfam Australia, is also competing in the race: “It’s a fun way to
raise awareness and funds for a good cause. Oxfam makes a real difference in people’s lives by
giving practical support to people in poor countries and campaigning on the root causes of
poverty”.
To register, visit http://www.oxfam.org.au/act/events/rat-race for more information or email
ratrace@oxfam.org.au
For media enquiries, contact Laurelle Keough on 0409 960 100.
Media Release
NEWS 
