MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
Today is the simultaneous National Launch of the 'Destroy a Minefield' campaign in Western Australia, which will raise money to destroy minefields in Cambodia.
Students from Moerlina Primary School and Aranmore Catholic College took part in the 'Destroy a Minefield Hopscotch-athon' in the Murray St Mall. School children across Australia are sponsored today to play hopscotch as a great way to help the Cambodian people.
In reality, Cambodian children live with the daily risk of stepping on landmines and losing their life or a limb, when they travel to school, the markets, church or to collect food and water. Children who are the victims of landmines explosions need replacement prostheses every six months and remain disadvantaged all their lives.
The National Hopscotch-athon opens Destroy a Minefield Week, March 27 - 31, an initiative of the Australian Government to raise funds to help destroy minefields in two heavily mined provinces in the north and west of Cambodia.
To date, in Cambodia alone, over 29,000 people have been killed or maimed by landmines in what amounts to a humanitarian crisis in Cambodia. Destroy a Minefield Week and the National Hopscotch-athon aims to solve this crisis by raising money and awareness in Australia.
Over the past few weeks, the students of Moerlina Primary School and Aranmore Catholic College have been busy in the lead up to the Hopscotch-athon. They have been impressive with their enthusiasm and eagerness to help the people of Cambodia.
To coincide with this first Hopscotch-athon in each state, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Alexander Downer MP today launched Destroy a Minefield to the Australian corporate community at the Hyde Park Barracks, Sydney, to generate support for demining from corporate Australia.
Media contacts: Janice Paddick-Hoover (Austcare)
08 9325 9330
Katrina Tap (AusAID)
08 9231 4409 / 0411 221 294