Foreword
 Albeit
Hong Kong is tiny, she possesses copious wilderness with
magnificent sceneries and high degree of biodiversity.
In particular, the northeastern part of the New Territories
still holds the natural habitat and scenery that are so
pristine and uninterrupted from urban development. This
explains its high value of appreciation, which is contributed
by the wonderful Plover Cove Reservoir, the genuine farming
villages and the bio-valuable Yan Chau Tong Marine Park.
Aim
Through this marathon, HKTraveler not only offers
a chance for body fitness, but also a chance to appreciate
the beautiful views in the northeastern New Territories,
the culture of villages, the unique ecology, and thus to
aware the importance of environmental protection. We firmly
believe that this marathon will present economic benefit
to the local villagers, and so the sustainable development
of the natural habitat and the village.
Besides, HKTraveler.com and Children's Heart Foundation
both expect this competition awakes the public to concern
about heart diseases on children, to promote the importance
of sports towards cardiac health, to collect donation to
assist children with congenital heart defects and to advocate
for related research and treatment.
About the Organizer
The website of HKTraveler.com, which established in
April 2000, is the first one to promote family hiking
with a theme on natural ecology. Now we have 15,000
members who are all nature-lovers. It is rich in content,
energetically organizing activities and ecotours, promoting
fun in hiking and the knowledge of the nature. In such
a way, we are initiated to keep fit, to care the nature
and to elevate the breath of mind. HKTraveler.com awarded
“The
Best Theme Site” of “Hi-Tech Web Award 2001”, “Ten
Healthy Websites Contest 2002”, “Ten Best Websites
of Yahoo Hong Kong” and a member of “Caring Company”
in 2004 and 2006.
About Children's Heart Foundation
 The
Children's Heart Foundation (CHF) is a registered charitable
organization established in 1994 and devoted to work for
children suffering from congenital heart disease. Their
services are all funded by generous donation from warm-hearted
individuals and organizations. Nowadays, approximately
400 babies are born each year with some forms of heart
defects in Hong Kong , those who are born with rather severe
heart defects may require cardiac surgery or catheter intervention
in early infancy. Despite treatment is made, some children
have residual problems that need long-term medical, financial
and psychological support s. Our objectives are: to raise
the public awareness on congenital heart disease , to provide
financial, psychological and informative supports to families
with children suffering from that disease, and t o advocate
the related research and treatment.
Why Children's Heart Foundation is the beneficiary?
You must then look for the answer from Little
Mark, son of our webmaster, Charles. Little Mark is now
12, just proceeded to secondary school and he had his first
trekking with parents at the age of 3. He was born with
congenital heart disease. In 2000, he was admitted to Grantham
Hospital for a heart surgery at the age of fiveand is now
growing up healthily after quick recovery. While under
treatment, Little Mark initially helped the Foundation
in its fund raising campaigns. Through this marathon, both
Charles and Little Mark expect to promote the services
of Children's Heart Foundation and to enable these services
be delivered to those heart-defected children, such that
they can walk hand-in-hand with him to enjoy the fun of
hiking in the countryside of Hong Kong. |
