■Team members and Support Crew from DESCENTE, Ltd.

Donation boxes are placed in front of the smoking room at each floor.

Two teams are participating in Oxfam Trailwalker Japan 2007, from DESCENTE, Ltd., a corporate sponsor of the event. Colleagues of the participants are helping with the team’s fundraising efforts. Fundraising is an integral part of the event and equally as important as completing 100km with 48 hours.

A donation box in the reception area.
The teams are asking support from not only their colleagues but also guests visiting the company.

The concept of ‘fundraising’ is something new for everyone at the teams’ workplace. The company sends ‘Oxfam Trailwalker E-News’ to the entire staff of DESCENTE to help familiarize everyone with the event and how to support the walkers. The newsletter includes the following points:

1. Oxfam Trailwalker offers not only physical challenges, but also opportunities for fundraising and team building.

2. The funds raised will be used effectively to improve the lives of people in poverty in developing countries.

3. Fundraising is a familiar concept in the western world where people of all ages use various methods to collect money.

DESCENTE place donation boxes and posters in the reception area and next to the water dispenser to encourage staff to support the teams. The walkers themselves pop around the offices with donations boxes to ask for support. As a result, the staff have contributed generous donations!

■What walkers tell potential supporters:
‘I promise to complete 100km.’ ‘I decided to participate in the event because I wanted to do something for people in poverty. I will prove that even an ‘Ojichan’ (middle-aged man) with a gut can make a difference!’ ‘I will lead the team as a representative from the Tokyo Office and as the youngest member of “Occhan” team.’ ‘I am the oldest member on the team and working out to complete 100km in 48 hours.’

■The support crew says:
‘We’re going to lavish attention on the walkers and do everything possible to insure the teams complete the trail.’