GB Paralympic gold medalist Danny Crates, the man who carried the Union Jack for Great Britain at the Beijing Olympics, flew the flag in stlye on 19 May for a new sporting challenge to help young disabled people. The event took place at Southview school, Witham, ans was attended by pupils and charity representatives.
The purpose was to launch the Hilton Hotels 2010 charity challenge, “Around the World in one Day.” In Essex all activities will be centred on the Hilton London Stansted Airport. The idea is to raise £1 for every mile run by fund raisers.
The hotel is inviting pupils and the local community to step up and take part in a the challenge on Sunday June 6th.
All proceeds raised in Stansted will be donated to Panathlon Challenge which, through charitable donations is able to offer free training courses, specialist equipment supply, coaching funds and multi-sport competitions, in various towns around Essex. Young disabled people with a range of abilities come together and are able to compete in different sports.
Hilton Worldwide team members, charity partners and the public will all be working together on the day in over 75 hotels and offices across Europe, collectively aiming to travel the circumference of the earth – 24,901.55 miles. They will also be competing to see who can clock-up the most miles.
Ashley Iceton from Panathlon said: “ The Panathlon Challenge is delighted to be working with Hilton in the Community and Around the World in a Day. The Panathlon Challenge benefits hundreds of disabled young people in Essex and thousands more around the country. Every penny raised through Around the World in a Day, will be invested back in to specialist sports equipment for local Essex Schools and young disabled people.”
Danny from Essex is one of the most successful Paralympic athletes of the last decade. Having lost his arm in an accident in Australia, he went on to win a series of athletic World titles.
Danny says, “ Panathlon is a unique sporting competition for disabled young people and I am delighted that they will benefit from the Hilton Around the World in a Day, taking place at Hilton Stansted on 6th June. I urge everyone to support this great day.”
In Stansted participants will aim to cover as much sponsored distance as possible by taking part in either a Team Challenge, which involves clocking up as many miles between 10am and 5pm. The challenge as a team is to keep your chosen piece of equipment in action for the full seven hours.
Miles4Fun is a fun afternoon for everyone of all ages and abilities. Participants challenge themselves to complete a set route around the hotel as many times as possible from 2.30-4.30pm at Hilton London Stansted Airport. To celebrate our success a Hero’s reception will be held at the end of the day for all of the participants.
According to Andrew Brett, General Manager at Hilton London Stansted Airport, this year’s event is an opportunity for the community to get together and to have fun in support of a great cause. “It doesn’t matter what age you are or your fitness level, every bit of effort helps! To get involved, all you have to do is register in advance and come and join us on June 6th for an amazing day of summer fun and exercise.”
Registration packs, including an event t-shirt cost just £5. To register or to find out more information please call +44 (0)20 7605 7641 or log onto www.hilton-foundation.org.uk
