Sunday, November 07, 2010What does it take to keep VISAR running??
Fundraising for VISAR
RUN.....VISAR.......RUN
What does it take to keep VISAR running??
It is apparent our VISAR Tortola members know the answer and have ‘stepped up" to the challenge. VISAR volunteer Willem Kerkvliet has committed to running the New York marathon in November 2010 as a VISAR fundraiser. "This will be my first full marathon, however I have competed in half marathons in Tortola and in Amsterdam, my original birthplace." said Willem, who's training involves distance running at least four times a week.
In October 2009 we saw four VISAR members run the Chicago marathon in an effort to raise funds for the organization. Paul Hubbard, Mark Sanders, Eric Sywak and Adele Perrot all finished the 26.2-mile course in respectable times.
"We trained all year in the heat and humidity of the British Virgin Islands only to arrive in Chicago to be met with freezing temperatures. The thermometer registered Zero degrees at 7am prior to the start of the race". said Paul Hubbard Tortola Crew Responder. The funds raised from the Chicago event enabled VISAR to purchase much needed medical and safety equipment.
"We identified a need for better communication systems when our Rescue Vessel was out of VHF range, so some of the money was devoted to the purchase of two satellite phones." said Mark Sanders. Other monies went to the purchase of a "full body" First Aid/CPR manikin, a state of the art piece of equipment used in training VISAR responders.
Paul Hubbard and Eric Sywak are currently in training for the Detroit marathon in October.
At current levels of activity VISAR needs about $100,000 per annum to meet the needs of the community. VISAR is funded almost entirely by charitable donations and relies very heavily on the financial support of the local community, visitors to the BVI and people like you.
Please consider sponsoring our VISAR members in the upcoming events.
To donate/sponsor please call Rebecca Clarke 494 4357 or log in at
www.visar.org/funding and click on "make a donation"