More than 100 hotel staff will descend on the Blue Mountains region next week to participate in ‘ Accor Race to Survive: Mission Possible Australia’ – a major adventure challenge and fundraising event to help disadvantaged Australians through Mission Australia.

Accor’s second annual ‘Race to Survive’ aims to raise over $250,000 for Mission Australia services across the country that help disadvantaged Australians improve their lives for the better.

From 31 October to 2 November, 30 hotel teams from across Australia will come together at The Fairmont Resort, a Hotel of Accor’s MGallery Collection, and participate in a dynamic three day adventure challenge in the Greater Blue Mountains Region.

Teams will race around the region to complete a secret course that involves wilderness trekking, rock climbing, abseiling, running, check point challenges, swimming, kayaking and camping overnight.

Each team is aiming to raise a minimum of $10,000 for Mission Australia services that help combat homelessness, empower youth, strengthen families and provide pathways to employment.

Funds raised from the 2012 Race to Survive will directly benefit Mission Australia services including The Mission Australia Centre (MAC) – creating pathways away from homelessness (Sydney); Charcoal Lane – providing pathways to employment for Indigenous youth (Melbourne); Circles of Care – creating brighter futures for children and healthier communities (Cairns); Cafe One on Wickham - connecting people and combating homelessness (Brisbane) and Youth Accommodation and Support Services (YASS) – providing pathways to a successful youth (Perth).

Accor, Australia’s largest hotel group has been a partner of Mission Australia for a number of years and is proud to give back to local communities through Race to Survive.

“We selected the Blue Mountains region to host Race to Survive because the World Heritage Area boasts not only a remarkable geographic and botanic landscape but it is a place of inspiring cultural significance. We wanted to give back to the local community, while also selecting one of the State’s most attractive destinations for the event.

“Our hotels are very much part of their local communities and across Australia our teams work with Mission Australia to help improve the lives of those less fortunate,” said Chief Operating Officer of Accor Pacific, Simon McGrath.

Mission Australia CEO, Toby Hall says “Overcoming disadvantage is challenging and complex, but through the support of initiatives such as Race to Survive: Mission Possible we can transform the lives of more people and create a fairer Australia for all.”