40 Hour Famine - on a rollercoaster!

March 16, 2006

Most Kiwis know the 40 Hour Famine as 40 hours without food, but have you ever thought about riding a rollercoaster for 40 hours instead?

That's precisely what four keen Aucklanders are doing this weekend at Rainbow's End, as an alternative way of raising money for World Vision's 40 Hour Famine.

The 'Corkscrew 40' event, organised by The Edge radio station, is running from tonight (Friday, March 16) until Sunday morning.

Michael Langwell, 20, from Greenhithe; Daniel Camp, 23, from Howick; Kyla Cooper, 23, from New Lynn; and Kathryn Parkin, 22, from Glenfield, are the four rollercoaster riders. They each applied through a competition run by The Edge and have set up individual Famine books online so they can get sponsors.

"This is the ultimate alternative famine as far as young people are concerned. It's an outrageous way to raise awareness of the Famine and to draw attention to the need in poor countries," says World Vision's Youth Marketing Manager, Layla Salamoun.

The 'Corkscrew 40' will be broadcast live from Rainbow's End over the Famine weekend and four Edge DJs will also ride the rollercoaster for ten hours each.

Rainbow's End is hosting the event, and is offering half-price entry to the first 100 people through the gates on Saturday, March 17.

Last year, more than 126,000 New Zealanders took part in the Famine raising a total of $2.67 million, making it the largest youth fundraiser in the country. This year World Vision hopes to raise $3 million through the fundraiser.

The official 40 Hour Famine weekend begins at 8pm today, Friday, March 16, and finishes at 11am on Sunday, March 18 (taking into account daylight saving).