ECTA in home stretch of annual fundraiser: Torbay Team in the lead
Thursday, May 21, 2015
(St. John’s, NL) – With a target of $50,000 for this year’s hike, more than 30 teams and 140 individuals are busy fundraising to help the East Coast Trail reach its goal by hike day on June 6th.
Every year we have great teams and many individual hikers mobilize to support the East Coast Trail, said Randy Murphy, President of the East Coast Trail Association. One of those teams is the Torbay Coyotes who have won first place several years in a row and have so far raised over $3000 for this year’s hike. The Torbay team has consistently raised thousands of dollars and this year Mayor Tapper has issued a challenge to all others towns along the trail to join the effort to try to beat Torbay, he said. It’s that kind of community effort we really rely on and we are proud to say that 93 cents of every dollar raised goes directly into the maintenance of the trail, Murphy added.
The Tely Hike is an annual fundraising event for the East Coast Trail to raise money from the community to maintain and protect the trail. This year the host is Mobile Central High on the Southern Shore featuring the scenic paths of Tinkers Point and Beaches. The hikes are easy to moderate – perfect for first time or seasoned hikers.
Communities, volunteers, members, local businesses, corporate funders and various levels of government all help ensure the East Coast Trail is a great wilderness hiking experience for the people of the province and the many tourists visiting Newfoundland’s Avalon region every year, commented Murphy. Our annual Tely Hike fundraiser is an opportunity to raise awareness of the need for continued investment in the trail to keep it safe and enjoyable as a pedestrian hiking trail for everyone to enjoy. In addition this year as part of a drive to increase membership- we’re offering a free membership to every hiker that raises over $200.
The East Coast Trail Association is a member-based, volunteer-supported charitable organization whose mission is to develop, maintain and preserve the East Coast Trail while respecting the integrity of the natural environment. The recent economic impact analysis revealed that the East Coast Trail attracted over 14,600 hikers and contributed $3.5 million to tourism spending in the province in 2013.
See below for Tely Hike backgrounder and East Coast Trail Association backgrounder
For further information please contact:
Kimberly Yetman Dawson, Business Manager, East Coast Trail Association
Office: (709) 738-4453 Cell: (709) 771-0203 kimberly.dawson@eastcoasttrail.com
Torbay Mayor Tapper 437-1260 or 437-6532 rtapper@torbay.ca
2015 East Coast Trail Tely Hike Fundraiser
WHEN: Saturday June 6, 2015
START TIME: 9:00 am – Hiker Registration (hikes begin at 10:00)
WHERE: Community of Mobile (Assemble at Mobile Central High School)
What you need to know to start fundraising
$50 minimum registration fee/donation: fundraise or donate a minimum of $50 per person to participate. It’s easy through our on-line pledge system
Raise more than $200/person and receive a one-year ECTA membership
Tax deductible: All pledges $20 and over are eligible for a tax receipt.
Pledges of “Cash & Cheques”: Cash and cheque donations must be recorded online under “Record Pledges” on your personal fundraising page.
Deliver all cash and cheque donations to the ECTA office (50 Pippy Place, Unit 9) by Friday June 5, 6:00 p.m. All cash and cheque donations received by Friday 6:00 p.m. will be counted towards eligibility for prizes!
What you need to know for Hike Day
Two great hikes to choose from – Tinkers Point Path and Beaches Path
Tinkers Point Path – 5.1 kms (one way), easy/moderate, 2-3 hrs
Beaches Path -7kms (one way), easy/moderate, 3-4 hrs
All hikers (including those under 16 years) are required to sign a waiver
Hikers under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult
Volunteer trail guides and first-aiders will be on the paths 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Sorry No Pets- with so many hikers, pets pose a safety concern. In addition, pets are not permitted on the buses or in the High School.
Bring water as well as a snack
Buses will be available to transport hikers to Trail Heads
Refreshments, networking and prizes
Prizes for top fundraising teams include: Stan Cook Sea Kayak Adventure plus Ferryland Lighthouse lunch (up to 10 people). Brunch for 10 at renowned Mallard Cottage followed by a guided tour with professional speaker TA Loeffler. Family passes to The Rooms and fish and chips at Chafe’s Landing (For 10).
Prizes for top 3 individual fundraisers: A Zipline adventure for four and a classic meal. A weekend get-away for two plus dinner at Riverhead Restaurant. Family pass for O’Brien’s Whale & Bird Tours and a $25 gift certificate for the Sailor’s Gallery Restaurant.
Door prizes: For every $50 raised get a ticket entered for a door prize. Two night stay in a king sized, Jacuzzi room at the St. John’s Super 8 including hot breakfast and supper at a local fine dining restaurant combined with an Oceanquest Try a dive in our pool for two. The Outfitter’s hiker’s trip pack includes hiking boots, walking poles and backpack and Alpine Country Lodge hiker’s back pack.