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Intrepid Travel has launched a campaign to raise funds and boost awareness for porters’ rights around the world.

The global tour operator hopes the Step Up for Porters Challenge – run by its not-for-profit The Intrepid Foundation – will raise AU$175,000 for porter welfare.

The campaign aims to highlight the crucial role porters play on many Intrepid trips and fundraise for organisations that ensure porters have the equipment, food, wages, and bag weights they need for a safe trek.

From June 1-30, participants will be asked to tackle virtual treks such as Everest Base Camp, Kilimanjaro or Inca Trail using the Healthwise app to track their steps.

The $25 charged to take part will go the Porters’ Collective, three NGOs supporting porters’ rights: Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP), Kathmandu Environmental Education Project, and Awamaki – The Tourism Academy for Porters in Peru.

Steppers can use the app to monitor their progress, set up teams and compete on leaderboards. For additional impact, participants can set up a personal fundraiser. A few lucky steppers will win one of five Intrepid trips.

James Thornton, CEO of Intrepid Travel, said: “Porters are the heart and soul of our trekking trips and are immensely valued by our customers and staff.  While we have strict guidelines on the treatment of porters, we believe more can be done to improve their conditions across the industry.  We’re asking everyone, everywhere to Step Up for Porters and make a difference.”

The fundraising initiative is the first step in Intrepid Step Up for Porters campaign. The Intrepid Foundation has also commissioned a piece of independent research that aims to shed light on the state of porter welfare around the world.

The results, expected later in June, will be a positive step towards inspiring the tourism industry to take better care of their porters, and to provide porters around the world with better working conditions and an improved quality of life.

“Anyone who’s done a trek understands the importance of porters and the amazing work they do,” says Robyn Nixon, General Manager of The Intrepid Foundation. “We want to help people get fit and do good for porters.”