AEIOU News

Gold Coast Business and social identities prepare to Take a Hike

Fri, 1 Jun 12

MEDIA RELEASE

June 2012

Gold Coast Business and social identities prepare to Take a Hike 

Some of Queensland’s best known business, media and social identities will be put to a 40 kilometre test of physical and mental endurance when they join the inaugural Take a Hike Gold Coast, to raise funds for children with autism on Sunday 17 June 2012.

Before sunrise, participants including Ingeus Managing Director Thérèse Rein, Channel Seven Presenter Liz Cantor and Minter Ellison CEO Scott Lyall will begin the nine hour trek with a goal of raising a total of $75,000 to support AEIOU Foundation’s program in Carrara.

AEIOU Foundation Alan Smith said the group is comprised of 25 hikers, each tasked with raising $3,000. 

 “Take a Hike began in Brisbane in 2010, and since then we have taken it to Toowoomba and Townsville on an annual basis with extraordinary results.  Since its inception, the initiative has raised $400,000 for our program across the State,” Mr Smith said.  “That has helped us support around 40 children in our centres.”

“This is the first time we’ve brought Take a Hike to the Gold Coast, and we have been delighted with the community’s support.   All funds raised will stay in the Gold Coast region, with a goal of supporting seven child placements in our Carrara program.”

Ingeus Managing Director Thérèse Rein is joining the hike ahead of plans to complete the Kokoda Trail challenge later this year.

“I’m pleased to join AEIOU Foundation at the inaugural Take a Hike Gold Coast.  The hike presents a great opportunity to support the community, and in this case, support AEIOU Foundation to make a difference to the lives of children with autism, and their families,” Ms Rein said.

Mr Smith said AEIOU Foundation launched its service in Carrara in November 2010, supporting 12 children to develop vital life and communication skills. “In the new financial year, we will extend the program to enrol an additional six children.”

“Our hikers are helping real people – local children and their families.  The hikers will work as a group to accomplish their 40 kilometre goal, but each needs the support of the community to help them fundraise. Please give generously,” Mr Smith said.

Executive Excellence manages the training program over an eight week period, encouraging hikers to participate in a self-guided program with two supervised sessions per week to ensure they are well prepared.

To help the Take a Hike participants reach their fundraising goal donations to individual hikers can be made by visiting aeiou.org.au and following the links to Take a Hike Gold Coast.

AEIOU Foundation is a reputable Queensland-based organisation and one of Australia’s largest providers of early intervention for children diagnosed with autism aged two and a half to five years. Around 90% of children who complete the program are able to communicate functionally, with more than 70% of children transitioning to school. All children are supported to reach their maximum potential.

Take a Hike details:

When:                  Sunday 17 June 2012

                              4am – 2pm (approx)

Where:                Starting point is Chris Cunningham Park corner Bay St and Wharf St Tweed Heads following a 40km route along the coastline to finish at Doug Jennings Park on Gold Coast Seaway.

Participants include:

 Media enquiries:

Laura Daley, Fundraising and Communications Coordinator, p: 3390 7915, e: Laura.Daley@aeiou.org.au.

Deborah Whiteoak, Communications Manager, p: 3390 1910, e: Deborah.whiteoak@aeiou.org.au.