EDITORIAL A good cause got crunched by costs
WHAT a crying shame that Run Geelong won’t continue on in its current form.
An annual mass running event for our region that cuts through the city and along our picturesque waterfront is a perfect fit.
Local company gone global Cotton On also seemed to be the perfect fit as foundation sponsor.
Over nine years they grew the run from 2500 participants to more than 10,000.
Cotton On also seemed to be a big enough global player to absorb the costs of staging the major event so that the funds raised could go to the intended beneficiary of the charity run — Geelong Hospital.
Partners like the Addy pitched in to deliver in-kind support to help promote the event.
Over the years the event has raised more than $12 million for projects at Barwon Health including redeveloping Geelong hospital’s children’s ward and special care nursery.
Last year more than $340,000 was raised. But Cotton On says the event cost more to stage than it raised.
This is a fair enough approach to take — why lose dollars in administrative costs that could also go to the ultimate charity?
Cotton On has said it will remain a major charity donor to Barwon Health.
What remains unclear is what made the event costs so financially untenable.
Was it the post-race entertainment and family festivities?
Was it costs involved in closing and diverting roads?
If so, surely these things can be addressed.
Celebrity ambassadors, road authorities and others could surely be put upon to waive their fees for such a good cause as our local hospital.
As we report today, there is likely to still be a November running event in Geelong.
We hope it can be as successful for our hospital as the prior events.