Bangkok--Sep 1--Travelpress
Save a Child's Life at World Travel Market 2005
What Can You Do to Help Just a Drop?
Travelpress.biz - Delegates to World Travel Market (Monday 14 - Thursday 17 November) can arrive at the global business event at London ExCeL in style - by hopping on the FIETSCAFE, a fun new 17- passenger bike and mobile cafe, operating between nearby hotels and the venue.
The latest craze to come out of Holland will not only help passengers get some exercise and fresh air on their way to the exhibition, but will give them the feel-good factor too. The FIETSCAFE, courtesy of the Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions, will collect desperately needed funds in aid of Just a Drop, the industry water-aid charity that has already saved the lives of thousands of children worldwide.
Passengers on the jumbo bike will be offered refreshments on their trip as well as asked to pay a minimum of a ?1 towards Just a Drop.
And for those who are not keen on the exercise, there are non-pedalling seats where you can just sit back and relax!
Mr. Andrew van der Feltz, Director UK & Ireland, Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions said:" By bringing some Dutch lifestyle values to the WTM we are again delighted to help out in raising funds for this most worthwhile cause. We very much hope that as many people as possible will use the FIETSCAFE for their morning coffee commute to ExCeL and kindly donate what they can to the Just a Drop appeal."
The international appeal of Just a Drop, started by World Travel Market, helps children throughout the world who do not have clean water and sanitation close to their homes. A child dies every 15 seconds from drinking dirty and polluted water.
Fiona Jeffery, Group Exhibition Director and founder and chairman of Just a Drop said she was delighted and very appreciative of Holland's continuing support of the appeal.
She said: "This is a great idea and we hope it helps to spark off other new and original thoughts to raise money, not only during World Travel Market week but throughout the year.
"As the work of Just a Drop becomes better known and respected, we are approached by many smaller organisations and groups anxious for our help.
"All the projects, though have to be agreed by the Trustees and are closely monitored by our President, the explorer Col. John Blashford-Snell and his team, who ensure that the money is spent wisely and effectively.
"Unlike other charities, Just a Drop spends the barest minimum on administration, ensuring that virtually all the money that is raised is used to save the life of children and their families, where ever it is need.
"It's now in its seventh year and was introduced by World Travel Market on behalf of the industry to give everyone the opportunity to give back in some way."
Just a Drop Trustees are hoping that exhibitors will include a fund raising idea on their stand or hold a draw or auction at an event or social occasion during the week. All fund raising will be supported by the Just a Drop team with promotional materials and press and public relations.
The most recent water-related projects by Just a Drop include three in Ethiopia as well as Grenada and India.
The launch of the World Travel Market campaign coincides with the publication of Just a Drop's first online newsletter, distributed worldwide to supporters and friends of the charity.
Charity Auction
Other fund-raising activity includes an auction, hosted by television broadcaster and Just a Drop Trustee Alastair Stewart at World Travel Market's Captains of Industry Lunch on the opening day, Monday 14 November. Up to 200 senior management from the private sector will attend the invitation-only event.
Trek Petra
Another major fund raising initiative is an historic guided walk for 50 industry executives and other supporters to the 'Lost City of Petra', Jordan in April 2006.
The "Just a Drop trek", in association with the Jordan Tourism Board and Discover Adventure, will start at the Dana nature reserve and travel along ancient Bedouin trails through a mixture of desert lands and rugged mountains where settlements date back some 6000 years.
The trek will then retrace the steps of Indiana Jones at the ancient city of Petra - the legacy of the Nabataens who settled in southern Jordan more than 2000 years ago. On arrival in Petra walkers will be able to take in the tombs, temples and haunting rock drawings in some of the oldest archaeological sites in the Middle East.
The walk will take six days but the overall trip spans nine days with a free day at the end to enjoy the Dead Sea coast.
Contact Just a Drop
Contact Nikki Davis on telephone +44 (0)20 8910 7981; Fax: 020 8334 0555; email address [email protected] for further information and help on organizing a fund raising event or Trek Petra.
For further media information telephone Jane Larcombe on +44(0)1892 785071 or email [email protected] End.