An article I ghostwrote for the Hong Kong Discovery Magazine - Discovery Hong Kong Vol 61 (all photographs are my own).
Championing "One Hong Kong"
Sunday, the 10th day of the 10th month, 2010. The largely anticipated Unison Hikathon event had finally arrived, alive and kicking, and full of steam! The weather had let up, breaking the last few days of rain with crisp morning dew and early day sun, to the delight of the 200 plus people gathered at the Nam Chung section of the Pat Sin Leng Country Park. Everyone had their own story for why they were present, besides their common goal to fundraise and support the valuable equal-rights advocacy work of the organiser group, Hong Kong Unison.
There was a captivating vibe in the air. The crowds of bodies were represented in all colours, genders and ages. St Johns Ambulance and the Hong Kong VR2HAM radio teams were also boldly present sharing their support and services. As participants continued to arrive in the busloads, the registration desk was buzzing, with people using any possible flat surface that was free to fill out their enrollment forms. With a huge number of unexpected walk-in registrations on the day, the total number of hikers was in the hundreds. The energy was ecstatic, as the hikers prepared themselves, giving hugs and handshakes of support to each other.
Jeff Andrews and Radio 2 RTHK presenter Alex Lee were bursting with pride as they initiated the opening ceremony. Joined by other guests of honour and Unison ambassadors Lam Woon-Kwong (chairman of the Hong Kong Equal Opportunities Commission), Emily Lau Wai-Hing (Legislative Councillor), Stephen Fisher (ex-director of the Hong Kong Social Welfare Department), Hung Chung Yam (former representative of the National Hong Kong Cycling Team), Roger and Henry Chung (The Chimes Gospel Band), Emily Kwan (Artist), and Brian Burrell (Artist), the stage was filled with as powerful of a presence as you could get.
“I support Unison because they are so vocal and open-minded,” said Lam Woon-Kwong. “We are the world, we are the people! So I support them,” added Emily Kwan. “I support Unison because I support racial equality,” stated Emily Lau. Brian Burrell delivered a strong and warm welcome speech in Chinese, expressing his support. Looking into the crowds you could see the emotion on people's faces, overwhelmed with happiness and some with tears, bursting into applause and cheering. Michael Jackson’s popular anthem, “We Are The World,” was sung in two versions of English and Chinese, bringing everyone together in a sea of arms and hands up in the air, swaying in a multi-directional rhythm. The singing reached fever pitch, whipping the hikers into an even more excitable frenzy. With the cutting of a brown and yellow striped ribbon, the proud colours of Hong Kong Unison, the ceremony came to an end, with the hikers energised and revving to go.
And so it started. Announcements were made in three languages English, Cantonese, and Urdu. And off they went! Some people running, and others starting a fast-paced walk down the two out of three official hiking trails of the race. The more experienced hikers and runners took the “Challenge 12.5 K” trail and the more casual hikers choice to trek down the “Scenic 6 K” trail. Unfortunately, due to the previous days of harsh weather, the “Extreme 18.5 K” trail had to be cancelled, much to the disappointment of the seasoned athletes. The three Delia Memorial Schools (Primary, Broadway, and Hip Wo) and the Islamic Kasim Tuet Memorial Secondary School had a number of teams in attendance, taking both trails. 30-minutete “Children's Hike” had also been mapped out for the younger participants who were eager to make their own individual contributions to the event.
First to return was the younger hikers, huffing and puffing with many stories to tell. They were welcomed back to the main site with various games and activities to keep them occupied while the rest of the hikers were still in the race. The first Challenge 12.5 K runner, Lin Cheuk Fung appeared at the finishing line, clocking up an astounding race time of a mere 1 hr 45 minutes, winning first place. 2nd place for the same trail was taken by Ryan Lacarne finishing in an equally impressive time of 2 hrs 10 minutes.
Steadily more hikers started trickling in, welcomed by volunteers at the main site, inviting them to fruit and drinks. A gentle hum started picking up again, as the hikers were re-cooperate and sharing their experiences of the trail. As I was walking around giving congratulations to the people strewn around the main site, leaning up against trees, on rocks and laying out on the grass, I came across 12-year-old Harmandeep and her two best friends. They were too excited to take rest and were instead busily working their way through the ethnic minority costume stall, trying on different outfits. From different participating schools of Delia Memorial, they were really happy to talk, telling me how they were having the time of their lives. “It was a hard hike but we helped each other through it. I slipped and fell 20 times!” says an excited Harmandeep. A group of teenage boys aged 15-17 years old, all from the Hip Wo Delia Memorial school, were sitting together close by recovering. I went to sit with them and get their thoughts on the event. “It was fun," one of them said, "and it's nice to go with friends. We all wanted to hike in support of Unison”.
Steadily more hikers started trickling in, welcomed by volunteers at the main site, inviting them to fruit and drinks. A gentle hum started picking up again, as the hikers were re-cooperate and sharing their experiences of the trail. As I was walking around giving congratulations to the people strewn around the main site, leaning up against trees, on rocks and laying out on the grass, I came across 12-year-old Harmandeep and her two best friends. They were too excited to take rest and were instead busily working their way through the ethnic minority costume stall, trying on different outfits. From different participating schools of Delia Memorial, they were really happy to talk, telling me how they were having the time of their lives. “It was a hard hike but we helped each other through it. I slipped and fell 20 times!” says an excited Harmandeep. A group of teenage boys aged 15-17 years old, all from the Hip Wo Delia Memorial school, were sitting together close by recovering. I went to sit with them and get their thoughts on the event. “It was fun," one of them said, "and it's nice to go with friends. We all wanted to hike in support of Unison”.
A young lady called Roshni was amongst the helpful volunteers, providing mehndi hand and arm tattoos for the hard working participants of the event. Currently a diploma student in Travel and Tourism, she was volunteering for the day with her classmate. I sat with her for a while, watching her make a beautiful design on a young girl's palm, and she spoke to me about how happy she was to be taking part in such a monumental event in Hong Kong. “This is an important event, not only to support the great work of Unison, but also to spread awareness about the very real issues here in Hong Kong. I also love being able to meet new people from different cultures. It has been a great day”, she said with a smile on her face.
A selection of South Indian snacks was served for lunch, relished by everyone there. Not only were new friends being made, but a whole new community was being brought together.
What a day it had been and an amazing event to witness. Hong Kong Unison and its volunteers not only delivered a successful day but also an important message to the society of Hong Kong as a whole. For a few hours on a Sunday of October 2010, every person present at the Nam Chung trail site were able to achieve a sense of unification. There were no differences between each other that day. And "One Hong Kong" was certainly achieved.
What a day it had been and an amazing event to witness. Hong Kong Unison and its volunteers not only delivered a successful day but also an important message to the society of Hong Kong as a whole. For a few hours on a Sunday of October 2010, every person present at the Nam Chung trail site were able to achieve a sense of unification. There were no differences between each other that day. And "One Hong Kong" was certainly achieved.
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