Great Samaritans Race Raffle Latest Information
		For further Information about the 10 restaurants and hotels selected for the Samaritans ‘Hall of Fame’ Raffle please contact: Anvil Inn, Blandford Forum Tel: 01258-453431 www.anvilhotel.co.uk Balti House Indian Restaurant, Weymouth Tel: 01305-783515 Bridge House Hotel, Beaminster Tel: 01308-862200 www.bridge-house.co.uk Heights Hotel and Leisure Centre, Portland Tel: 01305-821361 www.heightshotel.com La Caverna Restaurant, Dorchester Tel: 01305-262500 www.lacaverna.co.uk Mallams Restaurant, Weymouth Tel: 01305-776757 www.mallamsrestaurant.co.uk Manor Hotel, West Bexington Tel: 01308-897616 www.themanorhotel.com Moonfleet Manor Hotel, Nr Weymouth Tel: 01305-786948 www.moonfleetmanorhotel.co.uk Olive Tree, Bridport Tel: 01308-422882 Riverside Restaurant, West Bay Tel: 01308-422011 www.thefishrestaurant-westbay.co.uk For information on the Raffle itself and how to obtain Raffle Tickets – offering ten prizes of a luxury meal for 2 people at the winners’ choice of these restaurants - please contact Ellen on 01305-783162

DORSET Samaritans’ bosses in Weymouth are using a boost in volunteer numbers to leave the office and launch a major annual fun run.

The Great Samaritans Race Day aims to attract 800 runners of all ages and abilities to boost awareness of the listening charity and local funds.

For older runners there is a choice of three or seven mile races while events for children will include a fancy dress fun run of one lap round Weymouth College sports Ground for up to 7 year-olds, two laps for 8-10 year-olds and three laps for 11-13 year-olds. There will be a £3 entry fee for each runner in the children's races and early indications already show some really creative fancy dress. A turnout in excess of 100 is expected for the children's events alone.

Samaritans medals on neck ribbons will be presented to all children taking part as well as the cups to be awarded to the first boy and first girl in each of the children's events.

Groups and individuals are being encouraged to sign up now to the event, which is taking place from 10am on Sunday September 7 with runners leaving Weymouth College to follow a route around Lodmoor Nature Reserve, through Preston and back along the sea wall.

Local Samaritans' spokesman and event organiser, John Grantham, said: "We are very grateful to have the use of the excellent facilities at Weymouth College and their Community Sports Centre and we seek to create a real carnival type atmosphere on the day. "All members of a family can participate at either a competitive or a purely fun level, or come along and give support as a spectator and help make the day great fun and a fundraising success.

"All the money raised will be used to assist the growing strength of the Samaritans’ Weymouth branch that covers most of Dorset. And should the day be wet we will be able to stage the children’s events in their large sports hall."

New director for the Weymouth branch, Sara, said in the last two years its volunteer numbers have doubled from 35 to around 70, and with a new group currently being trained, expected to rise to 80 within the next couple of months. She said: "With more volunteers we’re no longer tied to the office answering calls and we can be out in the community letting people know we are there for them.

"We want to increase our service and reach out to more schools, youth clubs, hospitals, prisons and wherever the need is.

"We currently handle over 1,000 calls a month on 01305 771777 from people needing support, and answer a strongly growing number of emails sent to jo@samaritans.org and importantly we are encouraging people to contact us before the real crisis occurs."

While the listening service caters for people’s emotional health, the Samaritans race day promotes physical health and so far has inspired much community spirit.

Local businesses such as South West Trains are providing sponsorship, and restaurants across the borough, Dorchester, Beaminster, Bridport and Blandford are taking part in the Samaritans of Dorset’s ‘Hall of Fame’ raffle.

The £1 raffle tickets will soon be on sale and 10 winners will be able to choose their favourite destination for a three-course luxury dinner for two from any of the participating restaurants.

Sara added: "We are also hoping most entrants will be able to raise funds themselves for Samaritans by asking friends and organisations to sponsor them individually – these funds will make a real difference to our ability to increase our work in the community."

For runners aged 16 and over the ‘Sam Seven' mile race is expected to attract well over 200 athletes from Dorset and surrounding counties. For people aged 14 and over the 'Sam Scenic' three mile race is expected to attract several hundreds of enthusiastic runners and some runners and walkers determined to support Samaritans.

There will be well over 20 cups to be won on the day, and a Samaritans’ race medal on a neck-ribbon will be awarded to all children completing their event.

Other features include car parking facilities, changing rooms, masseur service before and/or after the race and tea or coffee and cake for £1. The race raffle offers ten lucky winning couples the chance to select their ‘Luxury Dinner for Two’ prize.

Anyone interested in buying raffle tickets - or indeed selling them for Samaritans alongside our local ‘Friends of Samaritans’ group - can contact the race secretary on 01305 813046 or visit www.greatsamsracedorset.co.uk, or use the reply form here.