Welcome to THE MOST UNIQUE AND MEMORABLE ADVENTURE OF YOUR LIFE! HITCH 2016 Croatia Handbook

Transcription

1 Welcome to THE MOST UNIQUE AND MEMORABLE ADVENTURE OF YOUR LIFE! HITCH 2016 Croatia Handbook 16 th March 15 th April 2016

2 Contents Section Page Key Dates and Checklists 2 Hitch 2016 The Basics 3 Staying Safe on the Road 8 All About Croatia 10 Insurance Requirements 12 Hitch 2016 Conditions of Entry 13 Talk to us... Here at Hitch HQ we are a friendly, dynamic and knowledgeable team. As ex-hitchers ourselves, we know Hitch inside-out and are on hand to answer your questions, give support, and share tales from our own Hitch experiences. There are plenty of ways to get in touch, feel free to call, or Facebook message us and we will get back to you! The Hitch Team: Jake Laws & Jessica Webb Tel: hitch@lcd.org.uk Address: Dolphin House, 4 Hunter Square, Edinburgh, EH1 1QW Website: My hitch experience was the most surreal and amazing thing I have ever undertaken. Travelling and engaging with other cultures, visiting interesting cities/countries while raising money for a great cause has been the most rewarding thing I have ever achieved. Josh, Bucks New Uni 1

3 Dates for your diary: Event Date(s) Hitch Registration Deadline 10th February 2016 Deadline for the return of Hitch Forms (Nominated Contact Declaration Form, Pledge of Sponsorship Form & Proof of Insurance Form) 19th February 2016 Start Hitch th March 2016 End of Hitch th April 2016 Hitch Fundraising Deadline 17th June 2016 Pre-Departure Checklist Purchase the insurance policy suggested by Link or give details of your own insurance that adequately covers hitch-hiking. Return a completed and signed Nominated Contact Declaration of Responsibility Form. Provide Link with full passport details. Return the Pledge of Sponsorship Form or send a minimum of 295 sponsorship to Link prior to departure. Check your relevant VISA requirements if you are not a British citizen (see page 8 for more details). Give Link the name(s) of Hitch partner(s) and departure details (date and place). For more information about Hitch, fundraising and your local Reps, check out: 2

4 Hitch 2016 The Basics Our annual sponsored hitch-hiking event, lets participants embark on an international travelling challenge from the UK to either Morocco or Croatia. Upon reaching their destination, they are free to enjoy a holiday and meet up with fellow Hitchers before flying home at their own leisure. This year is set to be as exciting as ever, with hundreds of Hitchers embarking on adventures to Morocco and Croatia! Hitch tip: Travel with other Hitchers once you get there you will undoubtedly meet other Hitchers, and it s a great chance to make some great new friends! What does Link Community Development need from you? A minimum of 295 in sponsorship (excluding Gift Aid) by 17 June If we have not received this by 19 February 2016 then you will need to provide a signed and completed Pledge of Sponsorship Form. Why does the Hitch have a minimum sponsorship level? See page 5 for more info. An eligible Nominated Contact who will be contactable in the UK for the duration of Hitch (If you are under 21 years old, this must be your parent/guardian). They must have returned the Declaration of Responsibility Form by 19 February 2016 this has already been sent to them. Adequate insurance you must purchase our suggested policy or provide proof of your own cover. Please refer to page 11 of this booklet for more information. A little co-operation please check your s regularly and reply when necessary so that we know you are still planning to go on Hitch! If you decide to drop out of the event, you must inform the Link office immediately otherwise you will be liable to fundraise for us (hitch@lcd.org.uk). Stay in touch with your local Reps make sure you attend all relevant meetings, especially the compulsory Health and Safety briefings. Attend meetings, socials and fundraisers it will make the Hitch experience all the more fun! Follow the Health & Safety procedures at all times - they are there for your safety. Organisation of your VISA - if you are not a British Passport holder, you will need to check your VISA requirements for France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia. Follow the official application process as necessary, and please contact us if you have any problems applying for a VISA. Accurate departure information - you must inform us of your planned departure date in good time. If you make any changes to your departure information or Hitch group, let us know straight away. What will Link Community Development do for you? Provide support through your trained local Hitch Reps and our Hitch Team in order to prepare you for your big adventure. Provide an official Hitch Pack and T-shirt for every registered participant. Track your progress every day that you are hitching on our online tracking system and provide a 24-hour emergency contact number. Liaise with your Nominated Contact and provide reassurance about the nature of the event if necessary. Provide and enforce reliable and tested Health and Safety procedures that will minimise all risks associated with the event to as great an extent as possible. 3

5 Hitch tip: There s nothing wrong with doing it slowly, provided your team agree. We loved it - the Hitch was half of the holiday! Who do I hitch with? You must travel in groups of two or three. For safety reasons, there must be at least one male in every group. If you are still looking for a partner, don t panic speak to your Hitch Reps for advice and information about upcoming socials. Try asking as many people as possible you never know when you ll bump into the perfect travel buddy! In our experience, the ideal Hitch combination is a male-female pair. Be prepared for your journey to take longer if you are in a three, as you are more unlikely to be able to find lifts in Lorries or commercial vehicles. However, plenty of Hitchers do travel in a group of three every year, and the majority of them have a great time. Try not to travel in a group of three males, as this can make your journey much more of a challenge. Our Safety Framework Hitch has been running for 23 years and in that time there have been no major incidents associated with hitch-hiking. Clearly there is a risk factor associated with an event like this, and potential Hitchers must be aware of this. However, Link has strict Health & Safety procedures in place based on 23 years of experience and expertise to minimise the risks as much as possible. Doing Hitch with Link is safer than hitch-hiking independently because we re here to support you every step of the way Support All Hitchers receive support from Reps, Link staff as well as a receiving a pre-departure Safety Pack and having to attend a compulsory H&S briefing. 2. Tracking All Hitchers must text or call us by 4pm each day they are on the road to update us on their progress. This will be displayed on an online map to let us and their families know that they are safe. 3. Contact - All Hitchers and Nominated Contacts have exclusive access to a 24hr emergency mobile line for the duration of Hitch. We are always reachable! 4. Together All Hitchers must participate in groups of 2 or 3, with Link recommending that there is be a male in every group. Every Hitcher must be registered with Link and have a "Nominated Contact". Hitchers must stick together at all times whilst on Hitch. 5. Time Hitch is not a race! There are no prizes/incentives for finishing quickly so we encourage Hitchers to take their time to make sure they arrive safely. 6. Framework Link passes on Hitchers details to the relevant foreign embassies and consulates so that they can intervene in the event of an incident. This allows us to react quickly in the unlikely case of something going wrong. 7. Endorsement We are supported by Rough Guides. They only agree to be associated with Hitch because of our track record and responsible approach to Health & Safety! 4

6 Hitch tip: Learn a few phrases if you can, particularly explaining that you are doing the Hitch for charity it will really help you when you re on the road. How much will Hitch cost me? One of the main attractions of hitch-hiking is that it s a really cheap way of travelling. That said, you will still have to pay for a number of things along the way including food, accommodation and ferries. Last year the average Hitcher spent the following: During Hitch itself 192 On the ferry crossings 20 In Croatia (average stay 7 days) 128 On the flight home 54 TOTAL 394 How much the whole event costs really depends on how sensible you are - it s possible to do the trip for much less money if you re frugal! Our top tips for doing Hitch on a shoestring budget are: Book your return flights as early as possible sort your dates and then visit to look for the cheapest possible flights. Booking well in advance really helps keep costs down. Save on souvenirs do you need to take presents home for everyone you know? Contact ferry ports in advance to see if you can get a discount. Be aware that with the number of Hitchers now doing the event, this is becoming increasingly difficult. Under NO circumstances attempt to sneak on to a ferry without paying once you reach the port this is illegal and can get you in serious trouble! Take a tent this will save you plenty of money on accommodation, but just remember to take warm clothes if you re planning on camping at any point! Hitch home? Every year a few intrepid Hitchers decide to hitch-hike back or go overland by rail/bus! If you are considering doing this then look into the costs involved in advance, as it may not necessarily work out much cheaper than flying and will take much longer. You MUST let us know if you re hitching back so that we can track your return journey. Why does Link set a minimum fundraising target? Link considers that given the expenses incurred in making the event run as smoothly and as safely as possible, it is necessary for us to set a minimum level of sponsorship for each participant. Link is far from alone among charities in doing this, and in fact Hitch target is much smaller than that for other comparable overseas events, where the target is often 1,000 or more. For many such events, people are unable to take part unless they have raised the minimum amount by a preevent deadline. Given the accessible and inclusive nature of hitch-hiking, Link cannot prevent any Hitcher from taking part if they fail to reach a minimum level before Hitch. This is why we ask each Hitcher to return a signed and completed Pledge of Sponsorship Form prior to taking part and to respect the need for a minimum fundraising target for Hitch. Hitch tip: If you are dropped off in a city, always ask where the best place to go is or which road to use in order to get out. 5

7 The Practicalities of Hitching Hitch is undoubtedly a significant challenge and one you should feel very proud of completing. The journey to Croatia is 900 miles and takes an average of 6 days. Waiting for lifts is a big part of the highs and lows of everyone s Hitch experience. You will inevitably spend time in service areas or by the side of the road but this is perfectly natural you rarely get out of one vehicle and hop straight into the next! It s all part of the incredible and unique challenge, and remember: the longer you re waiting for a lift, the more amazing and euphoric it will feel when you get picked up and can continue your journey! The end destination for the Croatia Hitch is Rijeka, less than 20 miles from the northern border of the country. Rijeka has been selected as the end destination because it is easily reached from Slovenia via the A7 motorway and because it is a transport hub with plenty of links to Croatia s main cities including Zagreb, Zadar and Pula. When you reach Rijeka and have finished your Hitch you can make your own way via public transport to your chosen destination, but you must not continue hitch-hiking once you have finished the event. The route - For Croatia, there are two slightly different main routes, both which involve travelling down through the centre of Belgium, Germany, Austria, and Slovenia 1. Dover-Calais-Brussels-Koln-Wiesbaden-Stuttgart-Munich-Salzburg-Slovenia-Rijeka 2. Dover-Calais-Brussels-Koln-Frankfurt-Nuremburg-Munich-Salzburg-Slovenia-Rijeka NB While it is possible to go via Italy, Link strongly recommends against doing this, particularly if you have time constraints as it is notoriously slow and difficult to hitch through Italy. For more information go to Google Maps and type in Dover to Croatia. Don t forget that these suggested routes are just to give you an indication of the rough direction following them exactly would be very difficult and you don t want to be entering large towns and cities anyway. Ferries - A convenient crossing to take for those hitching from the south is from Dover to Calais. This route is popular with truckers going to Eastern Europe, therefore works as a good place to start your journey. You can also cross from Dover to Dunkerque (France) or Ostend (Belgium). If you are coming from further north and feel like being especially original, try crossing from Hull to Zeebrugge (Belgium). 6

8 Avoid going into major cities and town centres! The centres of cities and towns are incredibly difficult to hitch out of, and you could find yourself stuck for hours trying to get back out. Not only will most traffic be local, there will also be very few suitable locations from which to hitch. Hitch tip: Try hitching from toll booths, as they have parking bays and vehicles are usually moving away slowly. Accommodation There are no hard and fast rules regarding where to stay the night during Hitch. A few recommended options include: Taking a tent the cheapest option and a very good back-up. Make sure your group has the space to carry a tent. Also look for safe and secure places to pitch it and beware of low temperatures at night if you re camping then take a sleeping bag and warm clothes. Handily placed roadside hotels can be more convenient than staying in town. Prices could start at 30 per night. Sleeping in vehicles sometimes you can sleep in vehicles as lorry (and sometimes car) drivers stop in service areas at night. But you are NOT allowed to hitch-hike at night. Remember that when you re asleep your guard is down, so consider sleeping in shifts so that there is always someone to keep an eye on your possessions and where you re going. Remember: Take a map with you so you always know where you are and can plan your route effectively. Inform your bank that you are making the trip. This will reduce the risk of your bank cancelling your cards due to suspected fraudulent use you are likely be using them in several countries in quick succession, which can arouse suspicion. Take your mobile phone charger and a European adaptor. Ensure your phone is roamer ready so that you can make calls from abroad. Hitch tip: Visit the local bakeries and markets in Croatia for tasty fresh food, at very little cost. 7

9 Staying Safe on the Road Hitch-hiking practised responsibly is an exciting and original way of travelling. To stay safe, it is vital that you follow the rules and guidelines stipulated by Link at all times. You will receive a full copy of our Guidelines for Safe Hitching in your Pre-Departure Safety Pack sent out a few weeks before Hitch. These guidelines, as well as additional hints and tips about hitch-hiking effectively, are also available to view on our website. Please note that all Hitchers must attend a compulsory Health & Safety Briefing before departure we ll let you know all about these nearer the time. Rules Keep your Emergency Contact Card, passport, copy of your insurance policy and authorisation letters from Link with you at all times. Make sure that everyone in your Hitch group takes a mobile phone and that you have all updated the mobile number on your online account before leaving. Make sure that a male gets into the vehicle first, and out last. Wear your seat belt at ALL times when travelling in a moving vehicle. Make sure that you always know where you are. Take a decent road map, and keep your eyes on road signs they are there for a reason. Ensure that all exchanges take place in well-lit public places (not remote lay-bys). Stop hitching at dusk and find a place to stay for the night. You are unlikely to get lifts after dark, and it is not safe to be standing at the side of the road. Trust your instincts if you feel at all suspicious about a driver or a vehicle, refuse the lift. Do not put your bags in the boot of the vehicle keep them close to you at all times. Never compromise your safety by trying to get to Croatia more quickly it s not a race! Do not hitch-hike on motorways it s illegal and unsafe. Do not obstruct traffic in any way or attempt to hitch-hike on dangerous bends or any spot where a lack of visibility could put you at risk. Follow Link s tracking and check-in procedure at all times you MUST text or call in by 4pm every day that you are hitch-hiking. Do not attempt to board ferries without a valid ticket or trespass into areas prohibited to foot passengers this is illegal and you could be arrested. Hitch tip: Be as lively and as gimmicky as you can when hitching - we found that amusing signs, kneeling and clasping our hands worked! 8

10 Tips Stick to major routes and ask to be dropped off at busy locations (e.g. service stations). Hitch from places where the driver can stop easily and it s more likely they ll pick you up. Approach everyone! Don t be shy in explaining what you re doing and asking for lifts. Travel as light as possible the more you carry, the less likely it is you ll be picked up! Take a whiteboard and loads of marker pens so you can write where you are going easily! Learn the lingo and always make an effort to speak to drivers. A list of useful phrases translated into both languages is available on our website. Appear cheerful, friendly and confident at all times fancy dress and amusing Hitch signs are proven winners! Always make an effort to talk to the driver people will often pick you up for the company. Be prepared for the journey ahead carry water, warm clothing and high-energy snacks. It can get very cold at night so pack your Hitch hoody! Visas and vaccinations If you have a full British passport, you DO NOT need a visa for Belgium, Germany, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia. Otherwise you will need to consult your own embassy in the UK to find out what you need to do. It is required of foreigners to register with the police within 48 hours of arrival in Croatia. When arriving at most tourist hostels/hotels/camps this will be done for you, however it is advised to make sure that this has been done to avoid fines or travel restrictions. If you do need to apply for a Visa, we can provide you with a letter on our headed paper to certify that you re taking part in the Hitch and explaining a little more about the event, including why you do not have a fixed arrival date or proof of accommodation in advance. Check with your doctor for up-to-date advice about vaccinations - it s important to consult a professional as you prepare for your Hitch. *** Ensure you leave plenty of time to arrange your Visas every year a number of Hitchers have to cancel their trip as they leave it too late** Hitch tip: Why not travel around by boat? Ferries run regularly between all of the large islands down the coast of Croatia, offering a quick alternative to getting around. 9

11 croatia - the land of a thousand Islands With 8 world heritage sites, 7 national parks, its ancient walled cities and stunning coastline, you ll kick yourself if you forget to bring your camera. If you like to mix sightseeing with partying, this beautiful country with its famous nightlife and party islands is the place for you. After traveling hundreds of miles through Europe, take a well-earned rest and go for a swim in one of the many lakes or coastal areas, sit and relax by a beach or enjoy first class seafood and some local fresh baked specialties. Places to Visit: View stunning waterfalls in KrKa National Park Tour around a Roman emperor s palace-like holiday home in the chaotic modern city of Split then tour miles of café-crowded alleyways. Explore the rugged mountain scenery of the Peljesac Peninsula with is renowned red wines and fantastic seafood, or take a leisurely paddle in a sea kayak around the Dalmation coast. Visit the party island of Hvar for a wild night of fun! Croatia Travel Essentials Croatia shares spring with the UK. It however is much warmer, and prettier! Croatia s best time to visit tends to be late autumn or spring, which handily is the same time as Hitch! It s warm, with some late lasting snow in higher climates, with the average temperature for the time of year being 22 C. The water around the coats can be chilly during March and early April, but the inland lakes tend to be warmer, whilst come May, you ll be joining the locals for a dip in the warmer coastal waters. Waking up the loved ones. Don't worry too much about phoning home and waking up the family when your there, Croatia is only one hour ahead of the UK, so all you need to worry about is not calling during their favourite shows. 10

12 Other Top Tips for Croatia Accommodation There are plenty of hostels in Croatia, and these are generally very well equipped. Prices usually start at around 10 per night. A fun alternative involves getting off the buses in a new town and bartering with the local guesthouse owners over a price for a room. If you are planning to go camping, make note that it is illegal to camp anywhere but a campsite in Croatia, and that campsites can be found for as little as 5. WARNING: Northern Croatia still has around 100,000 unexploded landmines, leftovers of the War of Independence. It is imperative therefore to stick to marked routes and paths and to not camp in unmarked areas. Money Croatia uses the Croatian Kuna (kn), and 1 is approximately 10.2kn. Cash machines are easy to come by in cities and can be found in train stations and at post offices. Those wishing to stay on a budget should find that is enough for a day, the majority of which would be spent on accommodation. Transport Croatia has an efficient transport infrastructure with lots of regular trains and buses. However, the bus service is recommended as the best way to travel between cities, in some cases being faster than the trains! Intercity tickets will cost you between ( kn) depending on distance, but make sure that luggage is part of the price as some providers have been known to charge separately for luggage. When in cities, local buses run for around 1-2, but most now have travel-cards which can be purchased at around 6 for unlimited travel. TOP TIP: The Dubrovnik card can be bought for between (depending on length of use) and allows unlimited travel and entry to most of the city s attractions. Make sure you check the exact details though! Language The official language is Croatian, but expect to hear small amounts of English in tourist locations. Also, Italian may be used in the North-Western regions around Roman ruins, as well as Serbian and Hungarian in more North-Eastern areas. Emergencies Call 112 for all emergency services in Croatia, there will be access to English speakers on the line. The British Embassy in located in Zagreb, and can be contacted on (385)(1) There are also consulates in Split and Dubrovnik. Hitch Tip: Try squid ink risotto, which is easily identified by its jet black colour. It s commonly found on the Croatian islands, and is absolutely delicious! 11

13 Insurance requirements All Hitchers must be fully insured for the trip in order to be able to take part. Hitchers may choose to purchase the policy suggested by Link, or may choose their own policy. Suggested policy To make things easier for you, Link has sourced an insurance policy which is arranged by Infinity Insurance Solutions and underwritten by the United Kingdom branch of Union Reiseversicherung AG that we believe will provide adequate cover for both the hitch-hiking part of your journey and the time you spend in Croatia. The suggested insurance policy covers you for hitch-hiking whilst participating in Hitch 2016 provided it is legal to hitch-hike in the country through which you are travelling. Whilst this policy has been designed specifically for Hitch, we are not able to offer you any advice regarding this policy; please bear in mind that it is up to you to check that it suits your requirements. It is not compulsory to purchase this policy, although we suggest that you consider it as an option. If you have any queries regarding the insurance please contact Infinity Insurance Solutions on To purchase the policy: You will be prompted to read the full policy and an important notice related to the policy prior to completing your purchase. You must read both of these things carefully in order to ensure that you are fully aware of the policy and its terms and conditions prior to buying it. We will send through s about how to purchase the policy. You can also read the full policy and the important notice relating to the policy online here: The Hitch 2016 travel insurance policy costs just 29 (inclusive of Insurance Premium Tax). Using your own policy You may choose to find your own insurance policy instead. If you do so, you must: 1. Check that your insurer knows that you will be hitch-hiking and that your insurance policy will provide cover for this. 2. Inform Link that you have your own policy and send us a copy of the policy wording by 19 February Hitch tip: When you re in a vehicle, be sure to leave plenty of time to speak to the driver about where you want to be dropped off. 12

14 Hitch 2016 Conditions of entry To participate in Hitch a Hitcher must Pay a non-refundable registration fee of by 10 February Raise a minimum of 295 for Link Community Development by 17 June Be aged 18 or over before the departure of the event. Return all forms by the required deadlines. Abide by Link s Health & Safety procedures. Hold a valid passport. Represent Link s work accurately to all sponsors and the public. Sponsorship requirements All Hitchers must return a Pledge of Sponsorship Form detailing their pre-hitch sponsorship total by 19 February If the total already raised by this date is not at least 295, the Hitcher must fill in their credit or debit card details in the space provided and sign to allow Link to debit the Hitchers account for any outstanding sponsorship (to bring the total up to 295) on or after 17 June The fundraising deadline for Hitch is 17 June All sponsorship raised should be sent to Link as soon as practicably possible, and no later than the fundraising deadline. Should a Hitcher drop out of Hitch, all money collected in the name of Link should be forwarded to Link or returned to sponsors. The registration and insurance fees are non-refundable. All cheques for sponsorship money should be made payable to Link Community Development. All Hitchers are provided with sponsorship forms in their registration packs. These should be used to record full details of donors, and then should be sent in to Link no later than 17 June 2016, thus allowing Link to thank the donors and claim Gift Aid where appropriate. Hitchers raising 500 by 17 June 2016 will be eligible to claim a full refund of their registration fee. This refund can be claimed when filling in the Hitch Feedback Form which will be sent to all Hitchers after the event has taken place. The deadline for claiming this refund is 30 June 2016 and no refunds can be issued after this date. Health & Safety policy All Hitchers participate at their own risk and take full responsibility for their safety. Neither the organisers personally, nor Link as an organisation, nor any university body, may be held responsible for any loss, damage or injury of any kind that may occur to a Hitcher or their property in connection with this event. Hitch Groups All Hitchers must participate in groups of two or three Hitchers. All Hitchers in a group must be aged 18 or over prior to the start of Hitch, and must be fully registered for the event with Link. No Hitch group is authorised to set off if any members of the group do not meet these criteria. Link strongly recommends that there is at least one male in every group. Groups must not split at any point during Hitch. Nominated Contacts (NCs) All participating Hitchers must have a Nominated Contact, who will be based in the UK for the duration of Hitch. The Nominated Contact will be the main point of contact with Link in the event of an emergency during Hitch, or a Hitch group failing to complete their daily check-in with Link at the prescribed time. The Nominated Contact must return a signed Declaration of Responsibility Form by 19 February 2016 at the latest, confirming their full contact details and their willingness to take on the role of Nominated Contact, and the responsibilities associated with this role. If the Hitcher is under 21 years of age, the Nominated Contact must be their parent or legal guardian. If for some reason this is not possible, the Hitcher may choose an alternative Nominated Contact provided that their parent or legal guardian provides Link with their written authorisation allowing the Hitcher to choose an alternative Nominated Contact. Safety framework All Hitch groups must follow the daily check-in procedure during Hitch, which will be outlined in the Pre-Departure Safety Pack sent to all Hitchers prior to the start of the event. All Hitch groups must ensure they have access to a fully functioning mobile phone for the duration of Hitch, so that they can maintain contact with Link and be contacted at any time. All Hitchers will receive an Emergency Contact Card prior to the start of the event. They must ensure they carry this at all times, as it contains important contact information for Link, the emergency services and the relevant embassies for the countries they will be passing through. All Hitchers will have access to an emergency mobile number that will be staffed 24 hours a day during Hitch. Hitchers requiring emergency assistance may contact Link via this number at any time, but must ensure that they only do so in the event of an emergency. Any Hitch group that decides to continue hitching on the return leg of their journey must inform Link of their intention to do so prior to starting, and must undertake to follow the same daily check-in procedure for the duration of their return journey.

15 All Hitchers must be aware of the finish date of the event and plan their trips accordingly. Link are unable to keep operating any of the safety framework after the finish date, and can take no responsibility for the safety of Hitchers who remain in Morocco or Croatia after the conclusion of the event. Insurance All Hitchers must have adequate insurance covering them for health, accident and loss. They must provide proof of this insurance no later than 19 February All Hitchers will be offered the opportunity to purchase an insurance policy suggested by Link that has been tailored for this specific event. This will provide them with adequate cover for a period of a maximum of 30 days from their stated departure date. If Hitchers intend to be away longer than a 30 day period, they must notify Link prior to setting off on the event. Hitchers may decide to use an alternative policy if they wish, but must check that this adequately covers them hitch-hiking and provide Link with proof of this policy no later than 19 February No Hitcher is authorised take part in the event unless they have purchased the suggested insurance policy or provided Link with proof of an alternative policy. Passports, Visas and embassies Hitchers are asked to provide Link with their passport details prior to the event. In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, these details will not be used for any purpose other than informing the relevant embassies of their travels during Hitch, or in case of emergency, informing the relevant authorities and emergency services. Link notifies the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) in advance that Hitch will be taking place, and forwards to the FCO the passport details of all participating Hitchers who have provided them. The FCO briefs all relevant embassies (in France, Spain and Morocco for the Morocco Hitch, and in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia for the Croatia Hitch) about the event prior to it starting. Hitchers who are not British nationals will be responsible themselves for ensuring they fulfil the necessary visa requirements for the countries they will be travelling through. They are also advised to alert their own embassies in the countries outlined above of their participation in this event. Advice from Link All Hitchers must attend a Health and Safety briefing before departing on Hitch. This will take place approximately two weeks before departure, either in person at their university, or from Link staff by telephone. No Hitcher is authorised to set off on Hitch until they have received the briefing. All Hitchers will receive comprehensive information about both hitch-hiking and travelling in Morocco/Croatia prior to setting off. This information will be available on the Link website, in the original Hitch Pack sent out after registration, and in the Pre- Departure Safety Pack sent out prior to departure. Hitchers will also be provided with the latest overseas travel advice from the FCO in their Pre-Departure Safety Pack. All Hitchers are responsible for ensuring that they have read all of the rules and guidelines available, and must ensure that they follow them at all times. They are advised to remember that the event is strictly not a race, and that at no time should they do anything to compromise their safety for the sake of trying to reach their destination more quickly. All Hitchers are responsible for organising their own return travel and accommodation arrangements, both at their final destination and along the way. Health All Hitchers must declare themselves mentally and physically fit for the event. They must provide a doctor's note if they have any relevant medical history which may, in any way, affect their ability to participate (e.g. diabetes, allergies, depression, and epilepsy). Hitchers are responsible for seeking medical advice from their GP including any necessary vaccinations. Use of Hitcher data Some of the personal information pertaining to Hitchers will be shared with relevant third parties that form part of the safety framework of Hitch, for example the tracking system provider and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office. By taking part in the event, all Hitchers give their consent for this information to be shared as appropriate. The information shared will be limited to information that is directly relevant to a Hitcher s safety during Hitch, including the contents of all tracking text messages that a Hitcher sends in to Link during the event. None of the third parties with whom Link shares this information will contact Hitchers at any point, and they will not share this information with any other third parties. The rules and policies detailed in these Conditions of Entry have been agreed and signed by every Hitcher, and they must be followed at all times. To be eligible for any prizes or reimbursements, Hitchers must ensure they abide by all the Conditions of Entry. 1

16 Link Community Development International would like to thank our generous supporters at: Rough Guides Ltd Virgin Money Giving To find out about Link s other fundraising events Please visit our website or contact the Fundraising Team. 2