Organisers donate $50,000 to charities
Auckland’s Round the Bays organisers have donated $50,000 to three charities with hopes that participants will raise $150,000 more.
The Spirit of Adventure Trust, New Zealand Riding for the Disabled’s south Auckland branch (RDA) and Lifeline Aotearoa are three charities to have already benefited from the 2018 Round the Bays.
Now organisers are calling on participants to sign up to the event and raise a target of $150,000 to donate to other charities.
On March 4, participants will run, walk or jog 8.4 kilometres from the city along the waterfront to St Heliers Bay for the annual Auckland Round the Bays.
Participants could register online to run for a charity and make their own page, make a oneoff payment when completing their event entry or sponsor someone who will be taking part in Round the Bays, which is sponsored by Stuff.
This year the Spirit of Adventure Trust had received $20,000 while RDA and Lifeline Aotearoa were given $15,000 each. The Spirit of Adventure Trust offers 10-day youth development programmes.
The trust’s marketing communications executive Talei Williams said it was thrilled with the donation. ‘‘Every dollar raised will go to helping youth get on board and have an adventure on the sea,’’ Williams said.
RDA fundraising coordinator Alison Daldy said it was pretty
‘‘We're really grateful to have been chosen.’’ Alison Daldy
exciting for their little branch to be part of the event. The branch planned on purchasing two new ponies and a year’s supply of food, she said. ‘‘We’re really grateful to have been chosen.’’
Lifeline Aotearoa fundraiser Debbie Greenfield said the charity was a ‘‘listening ear’’ for people of all ages. For 50 years, the charity had operated free community helplines for people dealing with mental health, relationship and work problems, identity and loneliness, she said.
‘‘We have no government funding, so it will be a boost to help us reach more people,’’ Greenfield said. Lifeline Aotearoa hoped to recruit and and train more volunteers as well as build a relationship with the wider public, she said.
Teams wanting to fundraise for these charities and take part in an eight-week training challenge can contact roundthebays@fairfaxmedia.co.nz.