Accor employees from around Asia Pacific are winging their way to Thailand, touching down this weekend on the island paradise of Phuket to commence final preparations for the “Accor Race to Survive 2010”.

The Phuket-based event will kick off on Monday 22 March 2010 as participants run, swim, bike and canoe over four grueling days (22 - 25 March) of fun-filled competition to raise funds for Accor Yim Kids Foundation, established by the company to improve the social well being of Thai children.

According to Accor Director of Operations - Thailand, Paul Stevens, months of hard work are coming to fruition and participants are chomping at the bit for the race to begin. “With only days to go, the Race to Survive teams are buzzing with excitement! Last minute touches are being ironed out and this unique event looks ready to fly. The feedback from the teams from around Asia Pacific is that their training has gone well, as has their fundraising with an overwhelming amount raised thus far,” Mr. Stevens, said.

At press time the “Accor Race to Survive Phuket 2010” had risen to nearly US$120,000 from the fund raising activities of 23 competing teams comprised of Accor employees. The organizers are confident that this tally will continue to grow as the event nears commencement.

Michael Issenberg, Chairman and COO of Accor Asia Pacific, said, “This major fundraising event would never come this far without our devoted participants and like-minded sponsors. I am humbled by the overwhelming support we have received, and proud that we can improve these children’s lives and make a difference creating lasting smiles upon their faces.”

Many of the team members participating in the race are hoteliers, not professional athletes, but all are training hard and truly committed to the fundraising event. Each team is required to raise a minimum of US$7,000 as their entry fee and donate their time and energy to participate in this significant fundraising event, bringing attention to the cause and showcasing Thailand as a world-class tourist destination. As well as team fundraising and public support the success of Accor’s Race to Survive for Yim Kids is reliant on the sponsorship and generosity of corporate sponsors.

The funds raised will support four projects:

- Support the cost for children’s education in the Mercy Centre’s Bangkok slum school. There are around 300 children at the school and the cost for each child to receive a proper education is approximately US$57 per child per year.

- Support the health and medical-related cost for 63 orphaned and abandoned children with HIV/Aids at the Mercy Centre.

- Assist communities in Koh Lon by expanding their sustainable fishing program to improve their livelihoods, enabling the children from these communities to continue their secondary-level education in Phuket.

- Provide education funds to help the children of sea gypsies and rubber tree tappers in Phuket whose livelihoods and way of life have been affected by the Tsunami in 2004.