International Lifestyle Magazine Issue 53 | Page 42

Trans Borneo Challenge 2014 The Trans Borneo Challenge mission is to raise urgently needed funds to support conservation efforts & raise worldwide awareness about the plight of the orangutans, as a flagship species for many other endangered creatures, as well as the continued destruction of their rainforest habitat. How does the TBC work?
 The event consists of finding a group of (10) fit, adventurous, passionate people from countries around the world, trekking across Borneo to raise awareness and money to help save the orangutan and their habitat. The challenge this year will run from East to West and will start in Balikpapan, East Borneo (Kalimantan Timor), and finish in Ketapang, West Borneo (Kalimantan Barat). To become one of the TBC 2014 participants, simply click here to go to the Bookings page. Applications will remain open, on a first come first served basis, until all 10 positions have been filled. There is no registration or qualifications required but we will be asking that you declare your understanding about the difficulty of the expedition along with the costs involved. As of this edition there have been 8 places filled with trekkers from USA, UK, New Zealand, Italy & Australia. With just 2 places left you need to be quick. How much will it cost? The expedition cost in 2014 is $4,500** per person (** see inclusions and exclusions . Each participant also has a mandatory fundraising component of AUD$3,000 (minimum) per person as part of the tour package which MUST be raised 2 weeks prior to departure. More details about costs along with inclusions and exclusions can be found under the Itinerary section of this website.  When is it on & how long does it go for?
The expedition begins on 22nd August 2014 and finishes on 16th September 2014. The expedition will take 25 days/24 nights days to complete, including travel & briefing days. See the Itinerary page for details about each days locations and activities. How are funds raised?
 Each participant has their own minimum personal fundraising target of $3,000AUD, as part of their tour commitment. The remainder of the targeted $100,000 will be met through corporate sponsorship, general donations and supporters. We are hoping to try and get 100,000 people across the globe to donate $1 each through the Trans Borneo Challenge Fundraising website. Simply click on our “Donate your $1 Here” orangutan icon on the homepage to help.  People will also be able to sponsor their favourite trekker and follow the event through facebook and twitter. Donations will be accepted in all currencies via credit card & Paypal, through the TBC fundraising website. A tax receipt will be generated and sent automatically.  If you wish to help the challenge by hosting a Trans Borneo Challenge fundraiser, please contact us, using the contact us form provided. 

We believe we have the means to raise over $100,000 as a united effort by all countries, which will significantly help conservation efforts across Indonesia. Where does the money raised go? 
 100% of monies raised will go towards on-the-ground conservation projects within Indonesia. And all funds rasied will be processed through our NGO conservation partner, The Orangutan Project (TOP). For more information on the full scope of the valuable conservation projects supported see TOP’s Latest Annual Report. ”TOP strives to get the best conservation and welfare results for orangutans by effectively using every dollar raised to support genuine on the ground conservation work through a wide range of partners. Working in a non-partisan way provides the orangutans their best chance. The Trans Borneo Challenge is a perfect display of both the challenge to save orangutans and the spirit of mutual cooperation that is needed to meet that challeng”’, says Leif Cocks, TOP Founder and President. For more information on The Orangutan Project, visit their website www.orangutan.org.au www.internationallifestylemagazine.com