Huang Nubo, pen name Luo Ying, is the chairman of Zhongkun Group, an outdoor enthusiast, and a poet. He serves as a goodwill ambassador for the “8-Hour Challenge” event alongside cultural scholar Yu Dan and actor Tong Dawei. Huang Nubo is passionate about mountaineering, and his walls are covered with photos of his climbs.
On September 8th, over two thousand philanthropic individuals will gather at the Yudu Mountain Scenic Area in Yanqing to promote public welfare through the power of walking.
The China Youth Development Foundation, in collaboration with The Beijing News, jointly initiated and hosted the “8-Hour Challenge” 2012 Charity Hiking Trail Race. This innovative fundraising approach aims to collect donations for the Happy Reading Project under Project Hope. All proceeds will be used to establish reading bases in primary schools in impoverished areas such as Haiyuan County in Ningxia and Longyang District in Baoshan City, Yunnan.
With ten days left until the registration deadline for the “8-Hour Challenge” charity hiking trail race, goodwill ambassador Huang Nubo stated that he will invite three friends to complete the 40-kilometer “charity walk.” Drawing from his extensive outdoor experience, he will also share hiking tips with participants.
“Hiking + Philanthropy” Attracts Goodwill Ambassador
Becoming a goodwill ambassador for the “8-Hour Challenge,” Huang Nubo said, was the “hiking + philanthropy” concept of the event that drew him in.
As someone who has long been passionate about outdoor sports, Huang Nubo said that hiking in nature has always been his personal interest. “It helps train the body and brings inner peace.” The internationally popular “charity hike” model, a new form of public welfare, was something he was trying for the first time in China. “As soon as I heard about it, I immediately called my ‘mountain friends.’ We’ll be hiking and donating money to buy books for underprivileged children—and they all agreed.”
Huang Nubo said he invited one foreign friend and two “mountain friends” to join the race. Everyone felt it was a “fashionable and honorable” opportunity. On the day of the race, he and his friends will complete the 40-kilometer journey together. “I hope more people can get involved in this activity.”
“Corporate Citizens” Should Shoulder Philanthropic Responsibilities
Learning that the “8-Hour Challenge” will raise funds to buy books for children in rural areas, Huang Nubo, who has worked and lived in northwestern regions, said his company often invests in remote mountain villages. Coupled with past donations to rural schools, these experiences have given him a deep understanding of the educational conditions in impoverished areas.
“If children of farmers don’t have access to good reading materials or a positive learning environment, they may never have the chance to compete with the outside world.” Huang Nubo believes that the “8-Hour Challenge,” which raises funds for Project Hope’s “Happy Reading” initiative, may help only a limited number of children. But it’s a “great start” to draw attention to the rural child population.
As an entrepreneur, Huang Nubo sees businesses as a type of citizen. “Responsible companies should act as ‘corporate citizens’ and shoulder responsibilities such as environmental protection and helping the vulnerable.” He said that businesses are beneficiaries of society and should give back. Ethical businesses can also enhance their own image. “Why not do it?” He hopes more entrepreneurs will involve their employees in public welfare activities.
■ Tips
“Huang’s Guide”: Quick-Dry Clothing Is Essential
As an outdoor enthusiast, Huang Nubo shares his hiking tips based on his own experience.
● Pre-Race Training
Start practicing hikes now to build cardiovascular endurance and stamina. You can visit a park and take slow walks—walk for one or two hours on the first day, three or four hours on the second, gradually working up to being able to walk six to eight hours in a single day.
● Clothing
Shoes: Do not wear travel shoes or basketball shoes. Opt for hiking shoes that are neither too soft nor too hard; otherwise, your feet will hurt.
Clothing: Avoid wearing shorts and short-sleeved shirts. Choose quick-dry, lightweight long-sleeved shirts and pants. This helps prevent sunburn and protects against cold mountain winds that could make the hike unbearable.
● Gear
Water: Bring enough water and drink it in intervals. Don’t chug a whole bottle at once to avoid dehydration.
Food: Easy-to-carry items like bananas and chocolate that help maintain energy and stamina.
Trekking Poles: Using trekking poles can save up to 30% of your energy. Pair them with quick-dry half-finger gloves to prevent blisters on your hands.
● Other
Sunglasses, quick-dry sun hats, sunscreen, and quick-dry scarves to protect your neck from sunburn and to wipe sweat.
■ Updates
Xingtai “Brother Duo” Writes Appeal Letter to Raise Funds
Eighteen days to hike over 400 kilometers from Xingtai to Beijing on foot and raise donations for impoverished students back home through a fundraising campaign—half a month ago, the actions of elementary school students Xie Pingyun and his brother Xie Pingran won praise from many adults. Recently, the brothers were invited by the China Youth Development Foundation to be special guests at the “8-Hour Challenge.” To prepare, they plan to officially start their fundraising walk after finishing their summer homework.
Hoping to raise book funds for one class
Yesterday, 11-year-old Xie Pingyun was still working on his summer homework. “Once we’re done, my brother and I will start fundraising for the ‘8-Hour Challenge.’” From the official websites of the “8-Hour Challenge” and “Happy Reading,” the brothers learned that a few thousand yuan could buy books for an entire class. Xie Pingyun’s father, Xie Aimin, said the children hope to make their fundraising goal clearer: “The funds raised will specifically go toward buying books for a class in a particular school.”
For this purpose, the brothers also drafted a proposal: “We will become special guests at the ‘8-Hour Challenge’… This is not only an honor for us but also for all elementary school students in Xingtai. We want to fundraise once again to donate to ‘Happy Reading.’” At the end of the proposal, the brothers wrote words of gratitude.
Publicize accounts on Weibo for oversight
As their guardian, Xie Aimin values the seriousness of his children’s fundraising and the transparency of the donations. He set up a platform for public oversight: “The kids have Weibo accounts, and all expense records will be published online, even if it’s just one yuan.”
Xie Aimin said that every donation collected by the brothers is recorded, with the amount and the donor’s contact information logged. The brothers’ flyers also include his phone number. “If anyone has questions about the funds, they can contact us at any time—we ensure everything is documented and verifiable.”
On September 8, the brothers will come to the event site in Beijing, where they will donate all the funds they raised through their walk to the “Happy Reading” project.
■ The Fundraising Story
Usually picks up trash while hiking; enthusiastic hiker loves public welfare
As of yesterday, 196 individuals had signed up for the “8-Hour Challenge.” Some public-spirited citizens, while participating themselves, didn’t forget to bring along friends. Contestant Xu Xiaoxia rallied 11 colleagues who love outdoor activities and public welfare. The 12 of them will complete the 25-kilometer walk on September 8.
Xu Xiaoxia is an employee at a company, responsible for her corporate foundation’s work. She doesn’t think it was difficult to get 11 people to join the event. “The activity is really fun, and everyone likes it. Once I mentioned it, they all wanted to come.”
Asked how she “fundraised,” she said she never deliberately “persuades” anyone. Instead, she simply shares straightforward online messages within her circle of friends and colleagues after learning the details of the event, clearly explaining “what we’re doing and what we can do.” “As long as the event is good, people will naturally come.” In the past, many charity events involved simple one-time donations, which gave people like Xiaoxia little sense of involvement.
The “8-Hour Challenge” felt fresh to Xu Xiaoxia. “You don’t need a complicated process, you can hang out with friends, and you can help others—it’s so meaningful.” Friends and colleagues agreed with this new model of public welfare, each contributing 600 yuan to take part.
Xu Xiaoxia said that usually, she and her outdoorsy friends go hiking or trekking whenever they have holidays. These “hiking enthusiasts” aren’t idle during their trips either. Whenever they climb Fragrant Hills, each person carries a washable plastic bag. On the way down, they each haul a bag of trash—waste paper, empty drink bottles, and the like. “Hiking while picking up trash has become a habit.” It’s these everyday habits that have made the group familiar with public welfare. They hope to participate in sustainable, interactive charity activities. “Getting involved allows us to push our limits and help others at the same time.”
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