Meli
Can you imagine when you were growing up, not having a safe place you could call home?
This year, the Surf Coast Century is proud to be partnering with local community support organisation, Meli, to help raise funds as part of their September “Foster-a-Future” Appeal.
Every night in the Geelong and Surf coast region there are many children who don’t have a safe and loving home.
In Victoria, it is predicted that we could have 27,500 children in out-of-home care by 2026 – more than any other state and territory in Australia.
Meli provides Foster Care services for children in need in the Barwon region, including our beautiful Surf Coast.
By taking part in the Surf Coast Century this year, you can also make your run count, by raising funds to help support children who are currently not able to live with their parents and are with a foster care family.
All monies raised will be used to help fund activities and tangible support for children in foster care, as well as their foster care families.
By deciding to run for Meli, you are not only investing in your own physical health and well-being, but you’re also changing a young child’s life.
Additionally, by raising funds for Meli’s foster care program, you’re also helping Meli to spread the message of urgently needing to recruit new foster care families.
Every child and young person deserves a safe and stable home and every dollar that is fundraised will help support children and foster families in our community.
Who is Meli?
Meli (formerly Bethany Community Support and BCYF) is an independent, not-for-profit community organisation that provides support services for women, men, children and families living in the Barwon and Western regions of Victoria. Built on over 300 years of combined local experience and heritage, we know that everyone faces challenges occasionally, and we provide active community support and education, for a lifetime of wellbeing.
Meli relies on program partners, sponsors, donors and philanthropic support to continue to keep supporting people and families who are sometimes facing their toughest challenges.
Meli’s foster care program is one of the largest in the Barwon region, yet there is always a shortage of foster care families and funds to help support current carers.
Register your interest in running for Meli’s Foster-A-Future Appeal by emailing [email protected] or if you can’t run for Meli, you can make a one-off donation here.
To find out more about Meli, visit www.meli.org.au
Friends of the Eastern Otways
The Friends of the Eastern Otways share a passion for conserving and appreciating this special part of Victoria, by protecting and maintaining the local fauna and flora.
The Friends of the Eastern Otways is an organisation committed to protecting the Great Otway National Park for all to appreciate and enjoy, working in partnership with Parks Victoria and DELWP. It’s members share an interest in the natural environment and volunteer their time to help improve the area in whatever way they can.
Examples of their environmental activities include:
- Protecting flora and fauna and maintaining and enriching biodiversity through removal of environmental weeds.
- Developing awareness and educating the community about the environmental values of the Great Otway National Park.
The Friends’ have extensive knowledge of the environment that the participants in the Surf Coast Century will be running through. Each plant species has a name, each different bird call can be learned!
Visit their website to learn more: www.feo.org.au
How the Surf Coast Century is helping in 2024
Rapid Ascent highly values the natural environment where we run, walk and live. We want to continue to increase our conservation and understanding of the unique landscape we race through and the animals and plants that live here. Through our partnership with The Friends will prepare and distribute information about the natural inhabitants of the area to add greater depth to runners’ experiences on race day.
As an added part of our commitment to environmental preservation and sustainability we have made the decision to reduce the amount of event merchandise we provide at our events.
At the 2024 Surf Coast Century we are reducing our consumption of resources and waste going to landfill.
Therefore, once again in lieu of all competitors receiving a t-shirt as part of your entry fee, Rapid Ascent will be making a cash donation to The Friends of the Eastern Otways.
Read more about the optional Event T-Shirt HERE
