The OTIS Foundation’s first international fundraising challenge has all the ingredients of an adventure.

Participants depart for Italy in the next week, with the aptly-named OTIS Tuscan Adventure starting in the regional capital of Florence on September 1.

From there, the philanthropic travellers will delve into the Tuscan countryside and embark on a five-day hike along the historical pilgrim’s route of Via Francigena.

The ancient road, which extends from France to Rome, is dotted with towns.

Participants in the OTIS Tuscan Adventure will conclude their journey in the Tuscan city of Siena.

Eleven of the 21 travellers supporting The OTIS Foundation, which provides retreat accommodation at no cost to people dealing with the challenges of breast cancer, are from central Victoria.

Some of the participants have had breast cancer, and some have been OTIS guests.

OTIS Foundation marketing and communications manager Carlie Ryan said the trip had already raised more than $100,000 for the Bendigo-based charity.

“We are so pleased to have had such great support on this first trip,” Ms Ryan said.

“Each participant has paid for their travel component and has then raised at least $3500 which goes to The OTIS Foundation.” 

Fundraising activities included a weekly yoga class at Bath Lane business D-Club 24/7 Fitness, staged over 12 weeks in support of member and former OTIS Foundation general manager Rachel Mason.

“I love the idea of holidays that focus on wellness and fitness and then support a great cause, so this was an easy one for us to get involved in,” D-Club 24/7 Fitness owner Brikitta Kool-Daniels said.

The ‘Yoga for Kindness’ campaign raised $500 for The OTIS Foundation, which makes over 3500 nights of accommodation available across its property network each year.

“I’m told this is enough to cover the cost of providing 10 nights accommodation at OTIS breast cancer retreats,” Ms Kool-Daniels said.

To donate to the OTIS Tuscan Adventure, click here.

TIMESHARE holidays have become available to people dealing with the challenges of breast cancer as a result of a partnership between The OTIS Foundation and Classic Holidays.

Classic Holidays chief executive Ramy Filo said the organisation had more than 40 club property resorts across Australia and New Zealand and access to thousands of resorts and hotels worldwide.

He said the partnership would give people dealing with the challenges of breast cancer the gift of holiday accommodation in Classic Holidays resorts and allow them to relax, reconnect and take a well-deserved break.

“At Classic Holidays, we are passionate about giving back and being a leader for positive change within the timeshare industry and in the community in general,” Mr Filo said.

“The partnership will also be rolled out to over 65,000 members and encourage our members to donate their Timeshare usage to The OTIS Foundation for use by OTIS guests.”

The OTIS Foundation stakeholder relations manager Kristin Cook said the gift of time away had an immediate benefit for both the individual who had faced a breast cancer diagnosis and their families.

“We often find that is the children and partners who equally benefit from an OTIS stay,” Mrs Cook said.

“The time together becomes so much more than a holiday, it is a time to enjoy shared experiences and often can be a pivotal turning point.”

The partnership launched earlier this month.

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