Louise Hodgson-Jones

Twenty charities will be participating in the 2012 Times Colonist Charity Pledge Program. This is the seventh year that the highly successful Charity Pledge Program has been adopted by the GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon. It is the second year that the Times Colonist has been the title sponsor for the program. In 2011, 22 charities participated in the Charity Pledge Program raising $180,000. Since 2006, $792,000 has been raised by the combined charities.

The charities raise awareness and funds by encouraging individuals to run or walk for their individual causes, and by collecting pledges. The 20 charities are the BC Cancer Foundation, BC Schizophrenia Society - Victoria Branch, Canadian Diabetes Association, Canadian Mental Health Association – Victoria Branch, CFAX Santas Anonymous, CHOICES Adoption and Counselling, HepCBC Hepatitis C Education & Prevention Society, KidSport Greater Victoria, Lifetime Networks Victoria, Mount St. Mary Foundation, MS Society of Canada, NEED 2 Suicide Prevention and Support, Pacific Centre Family Services Association, Recreation Integration Victoria, The Arthritis Society, The OCTA Collective Society, Threshold Housing Society, USC Canada (Run for Biodiversity), Victoria Brain Injury Society and Victoria Women's Transition House Society.

"There are 249 days until Race Day to train, but also to raise money for 20 amazing causes!  As participants and volunteers sign up and commit to their personal goals we want them to think about the charities as well," says Cathy Noel, General Manager of the GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon. "Each and every charity involved in the 2012 Charity Pledge Program has been selected based on the work that they do, and the commitment that they have to each and every participant that raises much needed funds locally, provincially and nationally. Make your next challenge count!"

The 33rd Annual GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon takes place Sunday, October 7th, 2012; in addition to the Marathon there is a Half Marathon, 8K Road Race and Thrifty Foods Kids Run & Marathon. For more details, visit www.runvictoriamarathon.com.