AEIOU News

Leading Townsville Identities TAKE A HIKE

Thu, 22 Sep 11

MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SEPTEMBER 2011

Leading Townsville Identities TAKE A HIKE

On Sunday 9 October 2011, a group of dedicated business and social leaders in Townsville will take part in the inaugural Take a Hike Townsville challenge.  Spanning 40 kilometres over nine hours, the goal of the challenge is to eliminate the funding deficit at AEIOU Foundation’s Townsville centre and to raise awareness for children with autism.

AEIOU Foundation CEO Alan Smith said each hiker will aim to fundraise up to $5,000 and the hike presents a great opportunity for the community to rally around the hikers and cheer them on.

“There will be numerous vantage points during the hike and the support of the community is greatly appreciated,” Mr Smith said.

This is the first time Take a Hike has been hosted in Townsville, with the concept first launched in Brisbane in October 2010 and replicated in Toowoomba in May 2011 which saw up to $50,000 raised for the AEIOU Toowoomba centre.

“Last year, our hikers in Brisbane raised $200,000 to help close the $10,000 funding gap we experience for each child in the program. That closed the annual funding gap we experience for 20 children in our program for one full year.”

 “All the funds raised at Take a Hike in Townsville will remain in the region. On 9 October, we hope to have raised a total of $50,000 to help close the funding gap for five children at our Townsville centre,” Mr Smith said.

“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 he was overwhelmed by the response from hikers that took part in the inaugural Brisbane and Toowoomba event. “Our participants reported that they felt it to be one of the most worthwhile experiences they have taken part in. Due to the extraordinary response we are now taking Take a Hike across Queensland to represent all of our centres.”

Training has already started for the Townsville hikers. The program, delivered by Executive Excellence and personal trainer Ben McCarthy from Snap Fitness includes an eight week self-guided program with two supervised sessions per week to ensure all participates are well prepared.

To help the Take a Hike participants reach their fundraising goal donations to individual hikers can be made by visiting http://aeiou.org.au/take-a-hike-townsville .

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. AEIOU provides an individually tailored program to ensure each child gets the best possible start at life to reach their full potential.

Take a Hike details:

When:                  Sunday 9^th October

                              4am – 2pm (approx)

Where:               The hike will commence at Strand Park, and follow a 40 kilometre loop around the CBD and along the Ross River walkways returning via Strand back to Strand Park. 

Participants:

Media enquiries:

Laura Daley, Fundraising and Communications Coordinator, p: 3320 7555, e: Laura.Daley@aeiou.org.au.