24.04.08 - Magna Sponsor Great Race

Magna Housing Association (MHA) has announced that it will be the main sponsor for the Great Samaritans Race Day on Sunday September 7th, 2008.

Through MHA’s Eastern Area Residents’ Panel, £3,500 has been contributed from its Community Initiative Fund. Panel chairman, Rosemary Nelson, says, “The Samaritans are a very worthy cause and should be supported as much as possible. They offer a free and very valuable service to people from a wide variety of backgrounds and we are pleased to be associated with them.”

The work that the Samaritans do in the community is, by definition (and due to the confidential way in which they work), mainly unseen. However, the Weymouth branch, which serves most of Dorset, will have received around a quarter of a million calls in the last decade, and the need for their work is clear. The Samaritans survive primarily through donations and fundraising and MHA’s input into the Race Day will undoubtedly be a big help.

MHA Director, David Aldwinckle, added, “Our community initiative fund assists many local projects and charities. We hope this donation will help make the Great Samaritans’ Race a big success.”

There are plans for a special MHA Cup and the organisation is hoping that some of its staff and residents will be getting involved on the day.

Jenny Brown, Fundraising and Publicity Director for the Samaritans, comments, “We are enormously grateful for the recognition by MHA of the value of the work we do – its contribution will enable us to offer up more support for our branch and its work. The Samaritans of Dorset needs around £25,000 per annum to be able to operate: callers expect us to be there, so we must provide the service.”

Up to 800 participants are expected on race day and it is hoped many more supporters. Over 20 cups will be awarded and every child competing will be presented with a ‘Great Samaritans Race 2008’ medal.

The Great Samaritans Race Day takes place from Weymouth College on Sunday 7th September 2008. It comprises events for all the family;
the Sam Seven Mile Race for 16yrs +,
the Scenic 3 mile race for 14yrs +,
two races for children, one for 11-13 year olds, one for 8-10 year olds,
and a special Fancy Dress Fun Run for the up to 7 year olds.

To find out more information or request an entry form/leaflet go to www.greatsamracedorset.co.uk or contact the Race Secretary on 01305 813046.

MHA’s Residents’ Panel Community Initiatives Fund was set up to help fund projects or to make donations to charities or agencies that could in some way benefit Magna residents. The three Residents’ Panels of Magna Housing Association administer this fund and from April 2008 to March 2009, £150,000 is available to help worthwhile causes. Anyone can approach the Tenants’ Panel for assistance by way of the community initiative fund. Each case is assessed on its own merit and the Tenants’ Panel make the decision as to whether funding should be given.

For further information regarding the Samaritans and the Great Race, please contact John Grantham on 01308 897935.
For more information regarding Magna Housing Association and the Community Initiative Fund, please contact Emma Lambe, Press and Communication Manager at Magna Housing Group on 01305 214016.

Last updated 28.04.08