Auckland City Mission Calling Runners to Join Its Team

4 April 2014

Auckland City Mission Calling Runners to Join Its Team in Auckland Marathon to Help Raise Funds for People in Desperate Need

• Registration now open for Mission’s team in Auckland Marathon on 2 November
• The Mission has secured 38 golden entry charity spots to boost fundraising efforts
• $50,000 fundraising goal to provide essential services to struggling Aucklanders

Auckland City Mission is looking for motivated and passionate people to join its team in this year’s Auckland Marathon to help raise funds for Aucklanders in desperate need.

The marathon takes place on Sunday, 2 November 2014, and the City Mission has obtained 38 golden entry charity spots for people who would like to run as part of the Mission’s team and raise funds to help an increasing number of struggling families and individuals.

“In our inaugural team race last year, we had 19 participants who raised an impressive $32,000 for the Mission. This year, we have doubled our number of golden entry charity spots, and we hope to raise $50,000 to continue providing our services to a growing number of Aucklanders in need,” says Diane Robertson, Auckland City Missioner.

According to Ms Robertson, the Mission has six places in the marathon, 30 spots in the half marathon, and two places in the quarter marathon. She says interest is high and urges people to register as soon as possible. Each team participant needs to raise a minimum of $2000 for the full marathon, $1500 for the half marathon, and $750 for the quarter marathon, respectively.

Full-time firefighter Barbara Adler of Mount Albert, one of last year’s City Mission team participants, raised over $4400, while juggling a busy work and family life.

“I was really proud to represent the City Mission and it was so good to see how much support the organisation had out there. With all the training, the fundraising and the actual run on the day, the entire experience did feel like a marathon effort. However, I shed a few happy tears as I crossed the finish line,” says 44-year-old Mrs Adler, who completed the race in three hours and 50 minutes.

The Auckland Marathon was her first full marathon. She prepared for the race by running to and from work, going for runs with her then 2-year-old son in his buggy, and often getting up at 4am to cover some kilometres.

“I totally recommend the experience. It was great to have a worthy goal on which to focus, and I felt good about what I did for the City Mission. I also discovered that I had become a runner like I never was before. I definitely hope to run for the Mission again sometime,” explains Mrs Adler.

People who have already registered for this year’s Auckland Marathon individually are welcome to join the City Mission team to help the Mission reach its fundraising target. Every person who volunteers to participate in the event for the Mission will have the chance to attend a special golden charity training day, receive a running singlet and goodie bag, and will be invited to a post-race reception. The Mission will provide each team member with training guides, as well as fundraising tips and advice. In addition, participants will have access to an online question-and-answer website, where experts will respond to any questions on the marathon or fundraising.

To register for the marathon or to obtain more information, please contact event co-ordinator Kelly Douglas at kelly.d@aucklandcitymission.org.nz or on (09) 303 9262. The registration fee is $150 for the full marathon, $100 for the half marathon, and $50 for the quarter marathon.

About Auckland City Mission
Since 1920, Auckland City Mission has been helping Aucklanders, by providing integrated services, including emergency food parcels, support for homeless people, drug and alcohol detoxification services, and effective advocacy.

The City Mission provides its services across the Auckland region.

Over the past four years, the number of struggling families and individuals coming to the Mission for help, has doubled, while the number of food parcels the Mission distributed during the same period, has increased by more than 40 per cent.

In the last financial year, the City Mission distributed $1.3 million worth of food to 69 food banks and other agencies in Auckland to provide meals to struggling families who have nowhere else to go.

The City Mission strives to foster innovation, while being flexible and sustainable.

Over the next five years, the Mission’s vision is to have measurably improved its clients' well-being and health, and contributed to sustained social change.

ENDS

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