A physical and mental challenge which has raised over US$137,000 for good causes was what persuaded 174 people to hike, trek and climb Egypt's highest mountains and endure its roughest terrain in the Sinai peninsula, during 13-16 November.
The BG Energy Challenge 2008 - Egypt, now in its fifth year, returned to St. Catherine, south of the Sinai Peninsula, where the first Energy Challenge took place in 2004.
The Energy Challenge, an inter-business networking and team building event which fosters team spirit, challenged teams to three days of activities. The first was a series of competing games set in St. Catherine town. The second day, and, by far the most challenging, began with a ‘Daring' 26-kilometre hike in Wadi Masala and the ascent of three mountains including the 2,164 metres above sea level, Gabal El Banat mountain, or a ‘Caring' 18 km hike in mostly flat terrain within the scenic valleys of the area.
During the third and final day, the challengers hiked 18 km ascending and descending Mt. Catherine, Egypt's highest mountain. More daring challengers climbed to the peak of the mountain to 2,642 metres above sea level.
Nicole McMahon, Head, Policy & Corporate Affairs, BG Egypt, said: "BG Egypt is delighted that the challenge is appealing, more now than ever before, to Egyptians who want to raise money for under privileged in Egypt by making a personal fitness and mental commitment. Eighty four per cent of the challengers were Egyptian and completing the Challenge as well as raising significant funds were major accomplishments."
The BG Energy Challenge 2008 - Egypt was organised on BG Egypt's behalf by CARE Egypt and they had enlisted the support of the local Jabaleya Bedouin tribe, who advised on the challenge route, acted as guides, provided camel transport and hosted the challengers to traditional Bedouin cuisine and hospitality at the end of the event.
Each participating team is expected to raise a minimum of US$4,000 to be able to enter the Energy Challenge. Business professionals demonstrated their willingness to get out of their offices, shed their suits, and immerse themselves in a different setting and experience the serenity of St. Catherine; a vast array of unusual rock formations; religious historical context; and the life lead by the Bedouin.
As well as sponsoring and organising the Energy Challenge, both BG and CARE entered five teams between them, raising US$20,000. The remaining funds were raised by the other 27 participating companies which included Apache, BP, CBI Lummus, Centurion, Coca-cola, Dana Petroleum, EFG Hermes, Egyptian LNG, ExxonMobil, Hess, INTEC, Taqa and TWMA.
Notes to Editors
The BG Energy Challenge - Egypt is part of a series of global team building events which BG Group introduced in 1996. The series runs in seven other countries where BG Group has operations. To date, BG Energy Challenges have raised over US$8.3 million for social investment activities.
In Egypt, the Energy Challenge has been running since 2004 and has raised US$713,000. The funds are distributed by CARE Egypt in the Upper Egypt area and are directed towards women empowerment, healthcare and education.
CARE is a not-for-profit organization that has been working in the poorest communities of Egypt since 1954 fighting poverty through concentrating on its underlying causes. CARE reaches out to address the needs of the most vulnerable groups and provide them with tools to improve their quality of life. CARE Egypt now operates through long-term programs which go beyond two to three year project spans for more impact.
BG Egypt, a business of BG Group, is one of the principal British investors in Egypt. Active in the country's natural gas business for over 19 years, it is a leading player in the development of the local gas business, with upstream and midstream investments worth over US$ 5.5 billion with partners. Operations span the gas chain from exploration, through development and production, to downstream projects in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
Enquiries:
Media (Egypt) - Nihal Tamraz
Phone: +2 (02) 25223-157
Mobile: +2 (012) 966 8895
E-mail: nihal.tamraz@bg-group.com
Website: www.bg-group.com - www.bg-energychallenge.com