The Samoa Racing Club Committee have made a $2,000 tala donation to the Mapuifagalele Home of the Elderly and assured the aged care facility of their continued support.

The cash donation was handed over to the aged care facility last Friday by members of the committee.

The Samoa Racing Club President, Tuilaepa Peter Rasch, told the Samoa Observer that they have made similar donations over the years.

He said one of the club’s greatest gestures is offering the elderly residents the chance to join them at the Tuanaimato racing course to watch and enjoy the races. 

Over the years the club has also provided transportation for the residents, by arranging buses for them to commute to the race and from the race to Mapuifagalele. 

However, Mr Rasch said over the years there have been some concerns about their comfort when moving them to the race course.

"We saw that there were many complications with our arrangement of bringing the elderly home's residents to and from the aged care facility, as some of them required assistance standing up and getting on the buses due to their health condition," he said.

That was when the club decided that due to the safety and comfort of the elderly residents the practice would cease. 

But the fundraising contributions and donation for the Home of the Elderly continued according to Mr Rasch, despite the fact that the residents were not able to join them. 

Every year around this time, usually right after the festive seasons when the races concluded, the funds (donation) would have been raised. 

“It isn’t much but hopefully it is enough to assist with whatever our elderly here at Mapuifagalele needs,” he said. “And our donations will still continue as long as we are able to come up with the funds.”

Mr Rasch then expressed their appreciation for their various sponsors who helped with the fundraising event to make the donation possible.