Oxfam still looking for coverage!

What is Oxfam Trailwalker Canada?
Oxfam Trailwalker Canada is a long distance trail walking event that is taking place on July 23-25, 2010 on the Ganaraska Trail between Snow Valley Ski Resort (Barrie Area) and the City of Orillia.

Oxfam Trailwalker is not a race …. but it is a challenge for a team of 4 to travel 100km by foot on a trail in less than 48 hours. Teams must start together, stay together, and finish together throughout the walk. The event is not only physically demanding, but also a fundraising challenge. Each team must raise at least $2,500 for Oxfam Canada, which will be used to support women and girls, men and boys living in poverty around the world.

Oxfam Trailwalker Canada is part of a series of Trailwalker events that take place annually around the world. The events began in 1981 as a military exercise for the elite Queen’s Gurkha Signals Regiment in Hong Kong, and have since grown into one of the world's leading sporting challenges, with 1000's of teams completing the event every year.
Teams can walk (or run) the 100km route at their own pace, and must have a support crew of friends and family who meet them at all of the 8-9 checkpoints along the route.
A vital component to the success of the Oxfam Trailwalker is the involvement of volunteers who help in all aspects of the event.
For more information about the event, please go to www.oxfamtrailwalker.ca
About Oxfam Canada
Founded in 1963, Oxfam Canada is an international development agency that works with over 100 partner organizations in Africa, the Americas and Asia. Oxfam works with the partners to tackle the root causes of poverty, injustice and inequality, helping to create self-reliant and sustainable communities, with specific focus on advancing women’s rights.

In Canada, Oxfam works on development education, advocacy, public awareness and building constituency of support for our work in advancing women’s rights.

Oxfam Canada is a member of Oxfam International, a federation of 13 Oxfam’s worldwide.

Volunteering for Oxfam Trailwalker Canada
Oxfam Trailwalker is looking for over 40 volunteers to be part of the Medical Crew for this year’s event!

Volunteers are an essential part of the event – it simply could not happen without their help.

We hope and expect that volunteers will have the same goals and memories as the participants – enjoy the experience, enjoy the challenge and help raise money for Oxfam Canada.

Medical Crew Information
The Medical Crew volunteers will be responsible for supplying medical support to the participants at the various checkpoints along the Oxfam Trailwalker route, from Snow Valley Ski Resort near Barrie to the finish in Orillia.

The Medical crew may distribute medical supplies to participants, and provide instruction and suggestions as to how to resolve any minor issues; provide basic first aid support with the application of second skin, bandages and tape for foot issues; provide treatments for tired bodies and muscles; or assist with more serious issues that may arise.

In total there are 10 locations on the route that need to be staffed by the Medical crew, with the duration at each location varying based on where the location’s proximity to the Finish (i.e. early Checkpoints will be cleared faster then one later in the event, so staff may need to be on-site for 4-24 hours+)….but we will supply all amenities to make the experience as enjoyable and comfortable as possible.

Benefits
Oxfam Trailwalker will provide any supplies or equipment that is required (unless a medical volunteer has their own which they wish to use).

Oxfam Trailwalker will provide all Medical Crew volunteers with food and drink, an area to rest/sleep during the event (if required), event clothing and help with travel, if required. Based on the duration that each Medical Crew volunteer is on-site, a travel honorarium or transportation assistance, if part of a group, could be provided.

Medical Crew Member Positions
There are several types of individuals who would be suitable for the medical crew:
First Aiders EMS, Nurses, Doctors, Podiatrists, Sports Therapists, St. John’s, Ski Patrol – to support walkers that are suffering from feet/leg issues, blisters, twists/sprains, cuts/bruises, fatigue, de-hydrations etc.
Massage Therapists/Athletic Therapists/Physiotherapists/Chiropractors – to provide soft tissue treatments for walkers at checkpoints and to provide modality treatments to walkers at selected checkpoints. (1/2 way)

What do Medical Crew Volunteers Require
Volunteers will be expected to make their own way to their assigned locations during the event; however in certain situations Oxfam Trailwalker may be able to transport a larger group from a central location.

Volunteers should come prepared with all essential clothing, footwear and headwear for being outdoors, plus a backpack, headlamp/flashlight, folding chair, cell phone, reading book, sleeping items and anything else that might be needed if away from home for more then 24 hours. (as volunteers may be expected to help out overnight – but all volunteers will have access to shelter, if required).

A complete review of all the volunteer’s roles and responsibilities will be outlined in the Volunteer Manual, and reviewed at the Volunteer Pre-Event Briefings.

How do I Get Involved with the Medical Crew?
If you (or your group) would like to receive more information or get involved with the Oxfam Trailwalker Medical Crew, then we would be very happy to speak (or meet) with you to answer all of your questions, and provide all of the information that you will require to get started.

The first step is to register online by going to www.oxfamtrailwalker.ca and clicking on Volunteer, which is where you will find the registration form.

We look forward to working with you, and you can contact us at the following:

volunteerinfo@oxfamtrailwalker.ca

sdh@sportsperformancecentres.com