Accor GMs Cycle For AIDS Impacted children In China

Accor announced recently that its Le Kids Warriors to the Wall 2011 — a charity ride launched in partnership with Chi Heng Foundation — had raised CNY850,000 for children affected by AIDS in China.

The five day cycling campaign was the latest charity initiative undertaken by Accor as part of a long-term commitment to improving the well-being of Chinese children, especially those whose lives have been affected by Aids.

Commencing in Xi'an, the capital city of northwestern Shaanxi Province, and finishing in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, the ride is reported to have been a physically challenging one for all participants who had to cover more than 500 kilometers on their bicycles over five days.

A total of 16 general managers from Accor hotels across four countries from the Asia Pacific region undertook this year's cycling event. The riders had all been required to fund the trip by their own efforts, with each also committing to raise a minimum of US$5,000 through their own networks. During the five-day endurance ride, cyclists also visited a number of world heritage sites as well as a few well-known Chinese attractions including the ancient Terra-cotta Warriors and the Juyongguan Great Wall.

Chung To, the founder of Chi Heng Foundation, the beneficiary of the funds raised by LeKids event said that he was touched by the high spirits of the bikers who were not cyclists but hotel general managers who had come from diverse geographic locations to help improve the lives of these special children in China.