Tu Meng, Secretary-General of the China Youth Development Foundation (CYDF), stated that the minimum fundraising amount, distance, and duration have been scientifically determined and field-tested. The route features scenic and safe roads.
Fundraising Update
Registration Guide
● Teams: 8
● Individuals: 108
● Funds Received: 5,811.88 yuan
Data from the official website of the China Youth Development Foundation
● Participant Requirements
1. Aged between 18 and 60.
2. Must raise a certain amount of funds: four-person teams (corporate/institutional) must raise 50,000 yuan; free-form teams must raise 2,400 yuan; individual male and female participants must raise 600 yuan.
3. Participants in the 40 km category must provide a health certificate issued within the past year.
● Minimum Donation Deadline: August 20
● Registration Deadline: August 15
● Online Registration
http://challenging8hours.cydf.cn
● Hotline
010-64035547 010-64790590
● On-site Registration
5th Floor, 51 Wangjing West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China Youth Development Foundation
As of yesterday, the official website of the “8-Hour Challenge” charity walk showed that 140 people had registered. “Current registration numbers are significantly higher than those of our previous walk event,” said Tu Meng, Secretary-General of the China Youth Development Foundation. He added that the challenge, which combines hiking with philanthropy, draws on the Hong Kong model — a format rarely seen on the mainland. The CYDF hopes to gradually promote this model across the country, establishing it as a cultural norm embraced by the public.
Yesterday, Tu Meng, Secretary-General of the CYDF, gave an exclusive interview to our newspaper regarding the charity walk.
The Challenge Aims to Spread Culture
Reporter: The challenge sets a minimum fundraising requirement. Has the CYDF set a specific fundraising target?
Tu Meng: I believe the core of this model is not fundraising, but using this activity to promote the Happy Reading project. More importantly, it helps people understand that their support for public welfare can be expressed in this way — it’s about spreading a culture. In the future, we won’t just fundraise for the Happy Reading project, but for many others as well. This model was introduced from Hong Kong, where it doesn’t directly target beneficiaries but rather focuses on donors.
Hong Kongers Are Enthusiastic About Charity Hikes
Reporter: Many people have questions about this model — for example, why do participants need to both donate money and put in effort? How well-known is this model in Hong Kong?
Tu Meng: On the mainland, this is a relatively new philanthropic product. But in Hong Kong, hiking has become a culture that blends fitness and public welfare. Both well-known and lesser-known charitable organizations — such as the Hong Kong Operation Santa Claus and Oxfam Trailwalker — use this approach for fundraising. It’s common to see posters for charity hikes in public spaces, advertising routes over several kilometers completed within hours, and many people sign up. Locals also enjoy hiking; sometimes on weekends, teachers even treat students to walks along Oxfam Trailwalker routes. Hong Kong’s charitable organizations have brought this practice to the mainland. For this challenge, Operation Santa Claus is also a partner, and they will bring some participants from Hong Kong.
Self-initiated Registrations Have Increased Significantly
Reporter: The format of a charity hiking race is not common on the mainland. Does the China Youth Development Foundation have any successful experience in organizing such events?
Tu Meng: The earliest instance was when the Guangdong Provincial Youth Development Foundation collaborated with a Hong Kong public welfare organization to use this model. In 2007, the year of Hong Kong’s handover, the China Youth Development Foundation began working with Hong Kong’s Operation Santa Claus, organizing a hike from Hong Kong to Beijing. Since then, we’ve learned from Hong Kong’s approach. Later, we also hiked from Jiangxi along the route of the Red Army’s Long March to Northern Shaanxi, taking over 300 days. Along the way, we built a Hope Primary School in every county we passed through, eventually surpassing our fundraising target. We had previously organized a charity hiking event in Beijing as well, but the number of participants was small. This time, the number of online self-registrations has increased significantly compared to the last one.
The competition format has been field-tested.
Reporter: Is it scientific to set the challenge at 25 kilometers and 40 kilometers, with a requirement to complete it within 8 hours?
Tu Meng: This challenge draws on existing formats from Hong Kong. The minimum fundraising thresholds, age limits, route and time regulations, and road selection have all been scientifically measured and field-tested — a bit of “borrowed success.” The route for this challenge features beautiful scenery and good air quality. There are some gentle slopes, but the difficulty is not high. Most importantly, there’s minimal danger and it’s safe.
■ Sidebar
Oxfam Trailwalker
Oxfam Trailwalker is Hong Kong’s largest hiking fundraising event. Since 1986, over 73,000 participants have raised more than HK$365 million for the cause. Oxfam Trailwalker is designed as an extremely challenging team activity, with no individual category. Participants form teams of four and must complete the 100-kilometer course within 48 hours.
This year, the minimum fundraising requirement per team is HK$6,800, while designated fundraising teams must raise at least HK$70,000.
■ Case Study
77-Year-Old Wants to Join but Is Too Old
“I can carry over 100 pounds, I’m in great shape. Can you make an exception for the age limit?”
During the challenge’s registration period, the China Youth Development Foundation’s hotline received a call from 77-year-old Huang Haode.
The elderly man has always been generous, having donated nearly a thousand books to Wenchuan, Yushu, and many other impoverished strangers.
“People have given me a lot of honors — top ten figures, love ambassador — they’ve built me up too much. I’ve always wanted to do something beneficial for the country and its people.” Upon seeing the “Challenge 8 Hours” hiking charity race, he called to register. “It’s a pity. I’m 17 years over the age limit.”
Huang Haode said that when he was 2 years old, his mother led him to beg, and many of the elderly who gave him half a steamed bun or a bowl of porridge have since passed away. He has always wanted to do good deeds to repay society.
He said he’s not afraid of not finishing the 25-kilometer route. “I’m in good health and pay attention to wellness. I have a positive mindset about doing good.”
“A bit disappointed. I really wanted to do some good this time.” Huang Haode always hopes that when people do good, he won’t be left out. He thinks this event is wonderful. Even though he can’t participate, he plans to recommend it to business friends around him, hoping to encourage others to sign up.
Yesterday, a staff member from the China Youth Development Foundation explained that the age limit of 18 to 60 is mainly for safety reasons. Children under 18 often cannot make decisions independently, and the health conditions of seniors over 60 are more complex. The 25-kilometer and 40-kilometer challenges also present certain levels of difficulty.
“Actually, those who can’t participate can still donate directly to the Happy Reading project,” the staff member said. Since the event site is relatively open, if someone fails to register but still wants to hike, the foundation won’t stop them — they just hope participants will take care of themselves.
Posted to youmezz's Weibo