Apia Hash Harriers raise $16,000 for Goshen Trust

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 22 September 2017, 12:00AM

Members of the Apia Hash House Harriers have presented $16,000 to the Patron of the Goshen Trust and former Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi.

The presentation was conducted at Tui Atua’s residence at Tuaefu on Thursday.

Club member, Ariane Stevenson, said the funds were raised during the Samoa Perimeter relay.

 “We had a discussion during our preparations for the Perimeter relay about what Charity to support this year and it was wholeheartedly endorsed that we would support the Goshen Trust,” she said.

 “While there are many charities that deserve support, we felt that the Goshen Trust is an important one for us to support because of the lack of support that is currently receives. We know there is a huge need for those services in Samoa.”

The Goshen Trust exists to help mental health consumers, and their families and friends, gain access to love, care and support needed to help them be emotionally, mentally and spiritually well and stay well.

 “I believe that mental health issues are really starting to gain a lot of traction,” said Mrs. Stevenson.

Speaking about the relay, Mrs. Stevenson said it was a very tough run. 

“We do this run every year,” she said. “The official Samoa Perimeter relay race runs only half of the perimeter in the island and it’s been running for nine years.

“However only for the last three years has the Apia Hash Harriers decided to add on the other half of the island as well.

“So while the race starts in Siumu and it runs anticlockwise, we actually start in Apia so we have two lots of people who run from Apia to Siumu and then the other teams run from Siumu back to Apia.

“This year we had a team of night walkers and a team of night runners. Then we had two teams during the day time as well so all in all we had about 50 people from Hash involved in the actual walking, running or in supporting the walkers and the runners.

Patron His Highness Tui Atua acknowledged the support of the Club to the Goshen Trust.

“I am very grateful for what you’ve done,” he told the Apia Hash members.

“People suffering from mental health challenges are among the most vulnerable in our society.”

His Highness Tui Atua thanked the Club and wished them all the best for their future endeavours.

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 22 September 2017, 12:00AM
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