One of Samoa’s major fundraising drives for mental health awareness got underway on Friday night with the Apia Hash House Harriers’ run around the perimeter.

But it will be a modified version of the popular run which started at 9.30pm on Friday night and will only go from the LeVasa Resort to Sinalei and exclude the capital.

Ariane Stevenson, the Night walk Coordinator for the Apia Hash House Harrier, told the Samoa Observer this is the thirteenth year the group has done the run but they will only be doing the LeVasa–Sinalei route and not Apia. 

"Unfortunately this year's official perimeter relay race (Sinalei to Apia) is not happening but we are still doing our night walk (Le Vasa to Sinalei)," she said.

"We have supported Goshen for eight years now, last year we raised $42,000 which was our highest ever. 

“I think this year will be difficult due to the economic climate, but we'll do our best.”

Mrs. Stevenson said the Friday evening walk to Sinalei will include Minister of Tourism and Environment, Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster as well as the Australian High Commissioner Emily Luck. 

"The Minister, Cedric Schuster will be there as well as the Australian High Commissioner with her husband," she said. 

The Minister of Police and Prisons, Lefau Harry Schuster is also a regular runner in the group, but according to Mrs. Stevenson he is currently overseas.

"Lefau Harry Schuster did the walk in the past two years, last year he brought Cedric with him," she said. 

"We are also happy that the Independent Water Schemes Association is with us this year.”

Thanks to various fundraising drives to support the work of Goshen Trust, Mrs. Stevenson said more people are hearing of the not-for-profit organisation and the work that they do.

"When we first started supporting Goshen Trust hardly anyone had heard of them,” she told this newspaper.

“Over the years there has been a big shift and it's wonderful to see how the program has grown but at the same time demand for their services has grown exponentially. 

“Prior to COVID-19 Goshen Trust provided services to approximately 60 'consumers' per year. 

“Since the COVID-19 pandemic started in early 2020 they have seen 440 consumers through their doors. It's a startling statistic.

"We continue to support them each year because we believe in the importance of the service that they provide for our community.

"There are so many health priorities out there but mental health resonates strongly with us because our Hash family is a key component of our own mental wellbeing.

"This year our team is called Kareoke's Crew in memory of our dear friend Kareoke (Adria Arp) who was a regular member of the night walking team.”

On the race that started on Friday night, Tammy Annandale said that the relay will end at Sinalei in the morning where everyone will have breakfast.