200 Accor Employees Furnish and Fund Homes for Homeless Australians

Accor Australia's annual 'Race to Survive: Mission Possible' fundraising event and 3-day adventure challenge, which aims to raise much needed funds to help Mission Australia alleviate homelessness, took place during Anti-Poverty Week (15-18 October) and has raised $500,000 for the charity.

Every night more than 105,000 people in Australia are homeless or struggling with access to affordable housing. Mission Australia provides support to reconnect those people with their community, to help them change their lives and gain independence.

As a partner of Mission Australia, the Accor hotel group's 12,000 employees' have fundraised throughout the year, with money raised to go towards two Mission Australia houses providing short-term accommodation for Australians in need.

As part of Race to Survive, 200 employees from Accor hotels across Australia raced around Western Sydney and the Greater Blue Mountains region participating in a physically and mentally demanding adventure race where teams completed activities including high ropes, wilderness hiking, camping, caving and a D.I.Y. furniture challenge.

Teams descended on The Mission Australia Centre in Kingswood on the final day of the race to create a ready-made bedroom and home furnishings to support nine individuals and families living in Mission Australia houses in the area. Home items included Fantastic Furniture flat packs, outdoor furniture, TVs, bedding and furnishings.

Australia's largest hotel group, Accor (with brands including Sofitel, Pullman, Novotel, Mercure and Ibis), has been a partner of Mission Australia for a number of years and is committed to giving back to local communities and the homeless through Race to Survive.

"Each night our hotels provide a comfortable and secure place for our guests to sleep, and we strongly believe that every Australian has the right to a bed and somewhere safe to lay their head," said Accor Chief Operating Officer Pacific, Simon McGrath.

"Our 12,000 employees have fundraised tirelessly throughout the year and with the support of our guests and clients, we are proud to donate half a million dollars to Mission Australia to fund two houses and furniture packages for Australians in need."

"As Australia's largest hotel operator we are present in every state and region and giving back to the local community is a responsibility we take very seriously. Race to Survive has become part of our employee culture and while 200 hotel ambassadors took part in the challenge, every day our 12,000 staff are committed to making a difference in the lives of people less fortunate than us."

Mission Australia's CEO, Toby Hall said: "Mission Australia stands together with Australians in need, until they can stand for themselves.

"Overcoming disadvantage is challenging and complex, but through the support of initiatives such as Race to Survive: Mission Possible we can assist more people to regain their independence and create a fairer Australia for all."

Since 2011, Accor's Race to Survive has raised well over $1million dollars for Mission Australia services across the country to help transform the lives of Australians in need.