Okanagan Project Receives $130,000 In Pledges Ahead Of Long Weekend Fashion Fundraiser.

May 17, 2010 - PRLog -- The Rally 4Life Foundation who are tackling the global thirst epidemic with their $4 million fund raising efforts are holding their inaugural charity fund raising event this May long weekend at The Cove Lakeside Resort.

The fundraiser is being hosted by Antares Media, drama and entertainment specialists, who are producing a 6 part TV documentary about the groups efforts to tackle the worlds most gruelling motorsport event, the infamous Dakar Rally and their endeavours to raise
$4 million to save 200,000 lives by providing access to clean water. The event is attracting top fashion designers, jewelry designers, musicians and TV stars.

The weekend festivities start on Saturday with a chance to have a physical assessment from the areas top athletic coaches, Pinnacle Elite Athlete. Shane Pizzey, from Pinnacle will be on hand at The Cove to conduct personal one on The weekend festivities start on Saturday with a chance to have a physical assessment from the areas top athletic coaches, Pinnacle Elite Athlete. Shane Pizzey, from Pinnacle will be on hand at The Cove to conduct personal one on one physical assessments to advise clients on a plan for physical conditioning. Assessments can be booked on line at www.Runway4Life.org

On  Sunday, the fun starts at 2pm as the formal fashion show festivities begin. A stunning variety of fashion will be displayed. Flora and Fauna represents eco-design, drawing inspiration from beauty in nature. Kulus Designs features contemporary Northwest Coast Native Art, bringing it to the modern world, while staying true to its origins. Christopher Bates is an upcoming Canadian fashion designer, trained in Milan, who has a full menswear line. Friis and Company is a whole universe of accessories, with something for you whatever your style. Patina Bronsino create finely crafted handbags and accessories made in high quality leather. The finale will showcase haute couture by Malene Grotrian. Malene trained in Denmark and Italy, gained valuable tailoring experience in Ottawa, then launched her own line in 2008. After receiving a first ever standing ovation for her show at Vancouver Fashion Week she was invited to put on a one man show at New York Fashion Week, another first for a Vancouver designer. Guests will be entertained by Grammy nominated artists Splitting Adam and internationally acclaimed violinist Rosemary Siemens. Throughout the afternoon, guests will be able to bid on silent auction items and live auction items to raise funds for the project. The afternoon agenda will be directed by local on air celebrity and Castanet columnist, Lisa Redl. Lisa is a News Reporter/Anchor and has worked for a number of media outlets including CHBC news, SunFM and 103.9 "The Juice".

"It is a whirlwind of activity at the moment. We are very honoured that so many talented designers and musicians are coming to help us." said Jackie Jennings-Bates, the co-founder of the Rally4Life project "There is a lot of organisation and many volunteers helping out, thankfully, tickets are starting to sell quite quickly. We are so excited that various individuals, corporations and foundations have already chosen to support our efforts with pledges or donations. Enough pledges have already been received to fund the first two water projects which will be in Kenya and Sudan later this year. Everyone's donation can make a substantial impact, with $20 being the average cost to provide water to a child for life. Recent UN figures indicate that more children are dying from water quality than from all combined world violence and war" added Jennings-Bates.

Seating is limited at the event and advance ticket purchases are encouraged. Guests can purchase through the website, www.Runway4Life.org or contact Jackie directly at 250 317 1457

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About Rally4Life
A combined effort to enter the 2011 Dakar Rally as part of the Bowler Offroad Team and to raise $4 million for projects delivering clean water and proper sanitation to communities in need across the world.

About Antares Media
This independent media group with head office in London, UK and subsidiary companies in Vancouver, CANADA and Los Angeles, USA specialises in  " drama docu-drama, reality and " entertainment programming for broadcast and multi-media distribution. Their Vancouver production portal has its own digital post-production (including graphics) suites. The international multi-platform drama and entertainment specialists.

About FeViva.org
A local not for profit organization that focuses primarily on relief, aid and shelter for at risk children and families in Africa and Latin America. Currently, FeViva is building a Village of Hope in Sudan for displaced children and families.

About JustADrop.org
A not for profit organization based in the United Kingdom supporting water, sanitation and health projects around the world.

About DAKAR
The DAKAR began in 1977, when Thierry Sabine got lost on his motorbike in the Libyan desert during the Abidjan-Nice Rally. Saved from the sands in extremis, he returned to France promising himself he would share his fascination in this area with as many people as possible. He proceeded to come up with a route starting in Europe, continuing to Algiers and crossing Agadez before eventually finishing at Dakar. Due to political instability in Africa, the Dakar was run in South America in 2009, the first time the race took place outside of Europe and Africa.
Since then, the Paris-Dakar has never failed to challenge, surprise and excite. Over the course of almost thirty years, it has generated innumerable sporting and human stories.

About Bowler Offroad
Bowler Offroad is the manufacturer of off road racing vehicles based on the Land Rover Defender, Discovery and Range Rover Chassis. The company was founded by Drew Bowler who originally designed and produced the Bowler Tomcat which evolved into the bowler Wildcat.

About Shane Pizzey and Pinnacle Elite Athlete
Shane Pizzey MKin, CEP, CSCSDirector of Sport Science
As a leader in the field of sport science and performance enhancement, Shane pushes the boundaries of conventional training. Shane has worked with many of the world’s best coaches. Shane’s specialty is in working with speed and power sports including hockey, football, soccer and basketball. Shane’s extensive experience in the coaching field has been highlighted by stops at 2 National Sports Institutes (Canada and Malaysia) as well as being a testing specialist for the Calgary Flames and Hockey Canada.

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Canada's First anticipated entry into the Dakar Rally combined with a $4MM fundraising campaign to save 200,000 lives