MEDIA RELEASE May 20, 2010
RACE DAY GALLOPS ALONG FOR ANOTHER YEAR The Passages Race Day was held at Belmont Race Course on Saturday May 22 with 240 guests in attendance to raise vital funds for Passages Resource Centre, a drop in centre for street present youth aged 12-25 years. The ‘black and white’ themed event featured a sit down lunch, horse racing, live and silent auctions and table raffles, emceed by Channel Ten personality Nick Way. Passages Resource Centre is a joint venture of the St Vincent de Paul Society and the Rotary Club of Perth that offers referrals, facilities and support services to Perth’s most marginalised; homeless youth. St Vincent de Paul Society WA Spokesperson Lucinda Ardagh says the annual fundraising event is integral to the ongoing provision of services that Passages provides and was grateful for corporate and community support. “We are once again benefiting from the generosity of sponsors Westralian Diamond Drillers and Blue Spec Mining who have sponsored the event for two years,” Lucinda says. “With this support and the generosity of many others, Passages is able to continue providing vital services to Perth’s youth in crisis with bathroom, kitchen and laundry facilities, referrals, informal counselling, advocacy and access to information from specialist agencies,” she says. Last year’s race day raised over $60,000. To learn more about Passages visit www.vinnies.org.au Media Contacts: Communications Coordinator: Deana Tesoriero (08) 9475 5426 or 0404 086 054
WINTER APPEAL 2010 Winter is traditionally an extremely hard time for those sleeping rough. The St Vincent de Paul Society is currently running the annual Winter Appeal with the aim of raising $600,000 in WA. This year’s theme “No one should have to know this” investigates the reality of homelessness and the stories of hardship, and how the disadvantaged survive on a daily basis. To donate to the St Vincent de Paul Society call 13 18 12 or log on to www.vinnies.org.au