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100 competitors and crew have gathered in Nadi, Fiji this week to begin the four-day AccorHotels Race to Survive Fiji event which aims to raise over $1 million Fijian Dollars for Cure Kids Fiji.

The biennial charity event is in its 12th year and has to date raised over $2.5 million Fijian dollars. This year’s event is set to be bigger than ever with Kiwi Rugby Seven’s heroes DJ Forbes and Junior Tomasi Cama joining the competitors as they are pushed out of their comfort zones in unique Fiji island-style challenges.

 Both Forbes and Fijian-born Cama have a strong connection with Fiji having played rugby in,and against, Fiji over the years. Taking part in the Race to Survive means they can experience first-hand the work of Cure Kids Fiji and help make a difference to the lives of children living in Fiji.

 The event started on Tuesday, 30 October at Novotel Nadi with 100 competitors and crew from AccorHotels in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji taking part, and participants from partner teams from House of Travel, Flight Centre, Rosie Holidays, JDE, and Dark Horse.

 Fiji based AccorHotels staff from Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa, Novotel Nadi, Novotel Suva Lami Bay and Mercure Nadi will guide the international competitors with their local knowledge and showcase all that Fiji has to offer.

 Over the next four days, the AccorHotels Race to Survive Fiji will take place around Fiji and along the way, and competitors will compete in a number of challenges including hiking, river crossing and kayaking. In addition to this, they will also experience a number of Fiji-based attractions such as the Nubutautau and Sigatoka Rivers.

 Although the main reason for the event is to make a life changing difference to the children of Fiji with the event including community projects in schools and medical centres. Funds from the previous Race to Survive events have supported Cure Kids Fiji’s Rheumatic Heart Disease control and prevention programme. This programme has detected hundreds of RHD cases in Fiji and those children are now managed through an ongoing treatment programme managed by the Fiji Ministry of Health.

 Cure Kids Fiji are also working with local and international medical experts to increase the supply and access of life-saving oxygen for Fijian children with pneumonia and newborn illnesses. Many health centres in Fiji rely on rudimentary oxygen cylinders which are cumbersome, expensive, and prone to faults. The aim is to provide health centres in need with oxygen concentrators that more effectively administer oxygen. Solar-power solutions in health centres vulnerable to power shortages are also being installed.

 Senior Vice President for AccorHotels New Zealand, Fiji & French Polynesia, Gillian Millar says; “We are incredibly proud of all the teams and our partners who are taking part in this event. It’s set to be a challenging and rewarding four days. Not only will the teams be competing physically they will also have the opportunity to experience first-hand the work of Cure Kids Fiji, and the incredible work their fundraising efforts will go towards. Our goal is to raise a million Fijian Dollars so Cure Kids Fiji can continue to make a difference to the lives of children in Fiji.”

 To discover more follow www.facebook.com/racetosurvivefiji