Hitch 2016 Nominated Contact Guide Hitch was the most hilarious, memorable and enriching thing I did at university and it s been as important to me in graduate life as my degree! Sally, York University 1
Contents Section Page Number What is Hitch? 2 Our Health & Safety Policy 3 Summary of Key Nominated Contact Responsibilities 4 Key Dates 5 Previous Feedback about Hitch 6 The Tracking System 7 F.A.Q.s 8 Getting involved with fundraising 10 What do I do next? 11 Insurance Requirements 12 Hitch 2016 Conditions of Entry 13 Contact Details We re a young, friendly, and knowledgeable team who have all taken part in the Hitch ourselves. We are always on hand to answer your questions, give support, and share tales of our own Hitch experiences. Hitch Contacts: Jake Laws & Jessica Webb Telephone: 0131 225 3076 Email: hitch@lcd.org.uk Address: Link Community Development, Dolphin House, 4 Hunter Square, Edinburgh, EH1 1QW Website: www.linkhitch.org / www.lcdinternational.org 2
What is Hitch? Hitch gives increased confidence and self-esteem. A sense of achievement, determination and Belief that if you stick at something you will reach your goal. Resourcefulness and independence. - Gabi Chase, 2014 Nominated Contact Hitch is an annual sponsored hitch-hiking event organised by, and to raise money for, Link Community Development. It is the largest and most established hitch-hiking event in the UK and is entering its 24th year! Hitch-hiking remains one of the most liberating and eye-opening methods of travelling around. Hitch provides students with a unique opportunity to experience this within a meticulous safety framework. Our team of experienced staff, dedicated tracking system and tried and tested safety procedures make Hitch the safest hitch-hiking event around. It is also one of the cheapest ways of taking on an overseas challenge to raise money for charity with a fundraising target of 295 and the means of travel being completely free! The event was born in 1992 when two students from Cambridge University set off on an adventure with a difference to raise money for Link. Their Cambridge to Casablanca Challenge was the blueprint for today s record-breaking event. Since then, nearly 9,000 Hitchers have safely and successfully hitch-hiked across Europe, raising almost 4,500,000 for Link. Your Hitcher will be following in the footsteps of all of these people in experiencing the adventure of a lifetime! Hitch is an iconic student fundraising event and a truly unique challenge. For many participants, hitching the entire way across Europe and raising a life-changing amount for charity ranks as an unrivalled feat of achievement, generating memories that will stay with them forever. The Basics Hitch takes place between 16th March and 15th April 2016. Hitchers can set off any time after the start date and must have finished hitch-hiking by the end date - although they are free to return to the UK at their own leisure. Hitchers must take part in groups of two or three. Link recommends that there is at least one male in each group, although this is not compulsory. All Hitch groups must check in with Link by 4pm UK time every day that they are hitching. The average journey to Morocco takes 7-8 days, whilst for Croatia it takes 5-6 days. There is a minimum fundraising target of 295. Your Hitcher has paid a registration fee of 15 and in return has been sent an information pack containing advice about their fundraising, a Hitch T-shirt and lots of other useful information. If you would like a copy of this pack, please get in touch. 3
Our health and Safety procedure 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 for all these reasons: Support All Hitchers receive a Pre-departure Safety Pack and must attend a compulsory Health and Safety briefing before departure. Tracking All Hitch groups must text or call Link by 4pm every day that they are hitching to provide an update on their progress. Their messages are uploaded on to our dedicated tracking system and can be viewed by parents, family and friends. Contact This is kept operational 24 hours a day for the duration of Hitch and ensures we can deal with any potentially serious incidents as soon as they arise. Together Link insist all Hitchers must participate in groups of 2 or 3 and there must be a male in every group. Each Hitcher must also have a "Nominated Contact" who can be contacted in the event of any emergency during Hitch. Time Hitch is most definitely not a race! Hitchers will not receive any benefit or prize for completing Hitch quickly. It s far more important for them to be patient, take their time, trust their instincts and follow all the advice that they receive from Link when soliciting lifts. Framework Link pass on Hitchers details to the relevant foreign embassies and consulates so that they can intervene in the event of an incident. Endorsement Hitch is supported by Rough Guides. This company enjoys a very good reputation in the travel/tourism market, and would only agree to be associated with an event that was coordinated and organised in a diligent, responsible manner by an experienced and reputable organisation. If you have any questions about Health and Safety or the Hitch in general, please get in touch with us and we will be able to assist you. 4
Summary of key responsibilities What does Link do? Your role as a Nominated Contact In order to participate in Hitch, all Hitchers must have a Nominated Contact who is based in the UK for the duration of the event. If the Hitcher is under 21, this must be a parent/legal guardian. You will need to read Hitch Conditions of Entry on pages 13 & 14 and then complete and return the Declaration of Responsibility Form by 19 th February to confirm that you are willing to act as a Nominated Contact and understand the nature of this role. We ask that you support Link in emphasising to your Hitcher the importance of preparing adequately for Hitch and in following our Health and Safety procedures fully at all times. By giving your Hitcher permission to participate, and agreeing to act as the first point of contact with Link in case of an emergency, you are ensuring that our health and safety procedures will be upheld. We would also appreciate your support in emphasising to them how important the fundraising element of the event is to Link. Ensure that all Hitchers are aware of the Conditions of Entry of the event and what they need to do to prepare for taking part. Provide a suggested insurance policy and ensure that all Hitchers either purchase this policy or arrange alternative insurance cover prior to departure. Send Hitchers a Pre-Departure Safety Pack containing a wealth of helpful literature on how to complete Hitch safely and successfully, including the latest travel advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). Ensure that all Hitchers receive a full Health & Safety briefing prior to departure. Operate an online tracking system and ensure that all Hitchers are aware of how to use it and the importance of checking in by 4pm every day whilst they are hitching. Alert the Nominated Contact in the event of a Hitch group failing to check in on time and discuss with them appropriate courses of action for following up with the Hitch group if necessary. Operate an emergency mobile line available 24 hours a day throughout the duration of Hitch. Provide Hitchers with an emergency contact card prior to departure providing all the important contact details for Link, the emergency services and the relevant UK embassies for every country Hitchers will pass through. Ensure that the relevant British embassies are aware of the event prior to the first Hitchers setting off. (The British Embassies are 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) Support, motivate and inspire Hitchers with their fundraising. 5
Dates to Remember 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 2016 16th March 2016 End of Hitch 2016 15th April 2016 Hitch Fundraising Deadline 17th June 2016 6
Previous feedback about Link and Hitch From Nominated Contacts My hitcher is back safely and has returned to Uni. He had the time of his life! I would also like to say how happy I was with the organisation of it all, the tracking and the attention to safety. It was the first time my son had done anything like this and all this preparation and support certainly eased my anxiety levels considerably! Sarah Smith The tracking system was fantastic; I wish I could have it permanently on all three of my children! R. Barr I thought the tracking system was excellent! I was apprehensive before the event but the system put me more at ease, as I could at least see my son's group were making progress and were safe. I began to enjoy their Hitch! Karen Leighton I was impressed by the organisation of the event. The care taken to advise participants regarding Health & Safety gave me confidence not only in Hitch but also in the organisation. I also believe the assistance it gives to African schools is well-planned and effective. E. Knipe From Hitchers Completing Hitch has given me a hunger for further challenging events and a new belief that anything is possible! Angharad, Swansea Hitcher Kissing goodbye to normal life, to Facebook, to your culture, and to everything you know, losing yourself in an adventure where the only familiarities are your fellow Hitchers and the sky above you. Honestly such an incredible experience. Jamie, Sussex Hitcher The array of different people you meet along the way are incredible and the hitch really does give you faith in humanity again. John Fanning, Swansea University A life-changing experience... Each year we ask the Nominated Contacts what they feel that their Hitchers have gained from the experience. Among other things, they mentioned confidence, independence, a heightened awareness of people's kindness and generosity, patience, an improved ability to speak foreign languages, self-reliance, an appreciation of other cultures and a taste for the rewarding nature of charity fundraising. 7
The Hitch Tracking System What does Link ask Hitchers to do? As part of Link s safety policy, Hitchers are required to follow a strict tracking procedure throughout their Hitch: 1. Each Hitch Group must contact Link to confirm they are starting their Hitch, and also as they leave the UK. 2. They must then check in every day before 4pm UK time. 3. On arrival at their destination they must check in with Link and with their Nominated Contact to report the end of their Hitch. 4. Finally, they must contact Link upon arrival back in the UK. Hitchers will receive an automated response if their text has been successful. If they do not receive this they should assume that we have not received their text (there can be network problems abroad), and must try again. There is a Hitch Hotline number as a back-up to the text service, which allows Hitchers to leave voicemail messages to record their progress. What happens to the information sent to Link by Hitchers? Link operates an online tracking system so that all messages sent by Hitchers are logged and displayed online, provided that they sent the messages in the prescribed format. The system is integrated with Google Maps so that, as well as displaying the message text, the system will identify the group s current location from their message and mark this on a map. The group s messages and locations will then be plotted together to show their progress since the start of Hitch. Below is a screenshot from the system operated for last year s Croatia Hitch. We will send you another letter prior to your Hitcher s departure with details on how to access and use the tracking system. 8
Frequently Asked Questions What happens if a Hitch group fails to contact Link? If a group fails to call in, the Nominated Contacts will be notified. The course of action to be taken will then be decided by the Nominated Contacts the common course of action will be to give the Hitchers a few hours grace to contact Link before considering the option of informing the authorities. In the past, Hitch groups have failed to contact Link by 4pm but have established contact later the same evening. In all cases this has been the result of Hitchers forgetting the deadline or not having access to a telephone. As a Nominated Contact, please emphasise to your Hitcher the importance of sticking to the deadline they should set a reminder in their mobile phone at 3.00pm just in case. Not having access to a telephone is an unacceptable excuse if each Hitcher carries their mobile phone then at least one member of the group should have a working phone at all times. If not, the group should try to borrow a phone from a driver or passer-by, or use a payphone. Why does Link stop tracking Hitchers when they reach their destination? Once Hitchers arrive in Morocco or Croatia, Hitch part of the event is over and their holiday begins. While we do ask Hitchers to notify us when they return to the UK, we consider that the time spent at their chosen destination to be, like any normal holiday, the Hitchers free time. We do not require Hitchers to call in at this stage as they become independent, adult travellers, and as they are no longer hitching the potential risks are no longer the same. However, if Hitchers still want to text into the tracking system, they are more than welcome to, we just won t be tracking them. Link understands that Nominated Contacts may still want to hear from their Hitcher once they reach Morocco or Croatia. We emphasise this to all Hitchers before the event, and would ask you to underline to your Hitcher how often you would like to hear from them prior to departure. Please be aware that Hitchers frequently travel into areas away from major cities where there is unreliable mobile signal, so a lack of such regular contact should be expected and not be considered a cause for concern. Are there any other steps taken by Link? In order to maximise safety and reduce risks, Link consults the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for information and advice about all the countries Hitchers will be passing through. We send the passport details provided by Hitchers to the FCO which then liaises with the relevant embassies to brief them about the event. Link also gathers feedback from Hitchers and Nominated Contacts from the previous year, seeking to identify aspects of the event that can be improved. We always ask whether they would support the continuation of the event in the future to confirm that there is ongoing support for Hitch. 9
Why does Link require all Hitchers to be insured? Link insists that every Hitcher is fully insured for the trip. As with any travel abroad, it is essential to be insured for any eventuality including personal injury, lost, damaged or stolen possessions and medical emergencies. While an insurance policy can be seen as an extra expense, it is vastly cheaper than having to personally cover any unplanned costs that may arise unexpectedly along the way. To make things easier for Hitchers, Link has sourced an insurance policy which we believe will provide adequate cover for both the hitch-hiking part of the journey and the free time spent in Morocco or Croatia. Details of this policy can be found on page 12. Please note that this is a suggested policy and Hitchers can arrange alternative cover if they wish to do so. However, they should bear in mind that many insurance companies do not provide cover for hitchhiking, so it is therefore imperative that they explicitly ask whether hitch-hiking is covered before making a decision on any policy. Why must Hitchers under the age of 21 have a parent or legal guardian as their Nominated Contact? Although the minimum age for Hitch is 18, we are aware that at university age, students frequently remain financially dependent on their parents, and their parents retain a strong concern for their welfare. As such, Link consider it fair and appropriate that their parents have an involvement with and consent to their participation in the event if they are under 21. Why does Link set a minimum fundraising target of 295? Link considers that given the expenses incurred in making Hitch run as smoothly and as safely as possible, it is necessary for us to set a minimum level of sponsorship for each participant. In supporting a Hitcher, Link invests a substantial amount of time and money in sending out the registration and predeparture packs, operating the tracking system and manning the 24-hour emergency mobile line. Link is far from alone among charities in setting a minimum sponsorship level, and in fact Hitch target is much smaller than for comparable overseas events, where the target is often 1,000 or more. Even domestic events such as Skydives frequently require participants to raise in the region of 400. For many such events, students are unable to take part unless they have raised the minimum amount by a pre-event 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. We would ask each Hitcher to respect the Conditions of Entry that they agree to and hope that the Nominated Contacts will support us in our policy. 10
Getting involved with fundraising As a Nominated Contact, you can be a great help in encouraging and supporting your Hitcher to reach their 295 fundraising total. Raising money for a worthy cause is the main motivation for organising Hitch, and the fundraising is as much a part of the challenge as Hitch itself. Fundraising done in this spirit can be a great experience and immensely rewarding for the individual. Each year, many Hitchers go the extra mile to produce incredible results it s not unusual to see our most dedicated and successful fundraisers raising over 1,000 for Link. Here are a number of ways in which you can help your Hitcher reach their 295 target: 1. Encourage your Hitcher to start fundraising as early as possible and approach the challenge with a positive mind-set. 2. Send an email around at work to get all those colleagues that owe you a favour to sponsor your Hitcher. 3. Use your Facebook/Twitter account to direct friends and family to your Hitcher s Virgin Money Giving page giving frequent reminders to make a donation. 4. Contact any local groups that you are involved with and ask if they would be willing to sponsor your Hitcher. 5. Mention your Hitcher s adventure in your Birthday card to family and friends and ask them to pledge a small amount to the cause. 6. Utilise any contacts (radio, press or television) to get your Hitcher s story publicised and attract some extra donations. 7. Organise a small fundraising event at work such as a sponsored walk or cycle to work. 8. Organise an African themed dinner party with your Hitcher s help, and ask all guests to make a donation to the cause. 9. Sponsor your Hitcher to be the parent for a day, meaning they have to do all the chores, cook your dinner and take you anywhere you demand to go! 10. Make sure that your Hitcher is aware of the importance of the 17 th June 2016 fundraising deadline, and sends in all their sponsorship to Link by this date. Link would really appreciate any help you can offer in terms of supporting or promoting the event. If you have media or corporate contacts then we would love to hear from you as a small charity we re extremely grateful for any opportunities for publicity or corporate sponsorship of the event. 11
What do I do next? If you haven t yet spoken to your Hitcher about the event, please do so immediately. They will be able to explain more about their participation in the event and outline what information they have received, both from Link and their local Hitch Reps. To request a copy of the Hitch Pack your Hitcher has been sent, please email hitch@lcd.org.uk. You can find useful resources, including copies of the Hitch Pack, Nominated Contact Pack and Pre- Departure Safety Pack, online at this web address: http://www.lcdinternational.org/hitcher-resources If you still have any unanswered questions then please do not hesitate to contact the Link office by email (hitch@lcd.org.uk) or telephone (0131 225 3076). If you are happy to act as the Nominated Contact for your Hitcher, please remember that you need to return the Declaration of Responsibility Form that accompanies this booklet by the 19 th February 2016. 12
Insurance requirements The following information has been provided to your Hitcher about insurance: 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 Morocco/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 0845 230 7130. To purchase the policy: Head to the online Hitch Shop which you can access through your online Hitch account at hitch.lcd.org.uk. 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. You can also read the full policy and the important notice relating to the policy online here: http://www.lcdinternational.org/events/hitch/insurance.htm Hitch 2016 travel insurance policy costs just 29.00 (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 th February 2016. 13
Hitch 2016 Conditions of Entry To participate in Hitch a Hitcher must Pay a non-refundable registration fee of 15.00 by 10 February 2016. Raise a minimum of 295 for Link Community Development by 17 June 2016. 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 2016. 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 2016. The fundraising deadline for Hitch is 17 June 2016. 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. 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. 14
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 2016. 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 2016. 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. 15
Link Community Development Would like to thank our generous supporters at: Rough Guides Ltd www.roughguides.co.uk Virgin Money Giving www.virginmoneygiving.com To find out about Link s fundraising events, please visit Our website or contact the Fundraising Team. 16