Team Xstrata Cycling Across America to raise funds for Children's Wish

Top Executives Racing to Grant Wishes

TORONTO, May 31, 2012 /CNW/ - An eight person cycling team of Xstrata executives from around the globe are competing in a grueling 3,000 mile race across the rugged back roads of America to help grant wishes to children coping with a life threatening illness. The team from Xstrata - one of the world's largest global diversified mining businesses - has already raised more than $100,000 for The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada and hopes to add to that total when they compete in Race Across America (RAAM) from June 13, 2012 until June 25, 2012.

Team Xstrata will cycle to compete against the clock and other teams, racing 24 hours a day for five to eight consecutive days over mountains, across deserts and during all weather conditions. Participants will race in relay fashion from Oceanside, California to Annapolis, Maryland. Each member will cycle for three hours per day, covering 50 to 70 miles each. The Xstrata team members are not professional athletes but are driven to give back to the community and play a vital role in creating the magic of a wish for children.

The race is known as one of the world's toughest sporting events and at 3,000 miles is 30% longer than the 2,162 mile Tour de France.

Team Xstrata member Shaun Usmar, CFO of Xstrata Nickel, says that the training requirements and actual race is demanding beyond anything most members have experienced. Cyclists must be in top physical condition and train for months leading up to the race.  Team Xstrata's training regiment is only one component of the comprehensive health and safety preparations and logistics in place for the event.

"There is no doubt that we push ourselves to our physical limits and during the race it's a 24-hour, seven-day a week commitment. But we are doing this as homage to all the wish children that are coping with a life threatening illness 24/7. They are the ones that set the example for strength, fortitude and endurance. They are our heroes," Usmar said.

Children's Wish is dedicated to granting an exceptional wish to children coping with a life threatening illness. Since 1984, Children's Wish has granted over 18,000 wishes to children across Canada.

"Team Xstrata exemplifies the tremendous drive and dedication of our supporters. The members of the team are top business executives with a proven track record in the business world. Now, Team Xstrata have come together globally and have applied their determination to helping grant wishes for our children," said Sandra Harris, Director, Ontario Region of Children's Wish.

The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada

Each year, thousands of Canadian children between the ages of three and 17 are diagnosed with a life threatening illness.  Since 1984, The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada has worked tirelessly to grant exceptional wishes to 18,000 children and their families.

This year, the Foundation expects to grant over 1,000 new wishes and is proud to have never refused a wish to an eligible child, and with the help of volunteers and generous donors, is able to grant nearly three wishes every day.  Each wish is an individual adventure, carefully structured to meet the needs of a particular child and family. The Foundation is a national charity with chapters in every province and territory. Visit www.childrenswish.ca for more information.

Image with caption: "Members of Team Xstrata training for the Race Across America in support of Children's Wish (CNW Group/The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120531_C4553_PHOTO_EN_14436.jpg

The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada
Sandra Gregory
Communications Coordinator - Ontario Region
Telephone: [phone] 
[email protected]

Team Xstrata 
www.xstrataraam.com