The first Saturday in August has become a golden occasion for charities and service organizations in and around Durban with Gold Circle’s biggest annual charity drive taking place at the Greyville Racecourse.

It is traditionally the day on which the country’s premier race for stayers, the R500 000, Grade 1 Canon Gold Cup, is run at Greyville and the charities are given the opportunity to host special function venues at the course to raise funds.

Gold Circle stages the Canon Gold Cup as the final event of the annual Winter Racing Season in the province. The company has have used the meeting in recent years as one of its many community projects and the participation by organizations in the region has grown considerably.

Gold Circle offers free marquee accommodation, complete with tables and chairs, at the Canon Gold Cup meeting in which organizations can host a fund-raising day at the races. Last year 12 organizations accepted the offer and this year the number has swelled to 18.

The Deputy Mayor of Durban, Mr Logie Naidoo said the project was an outstanding initiative by Gold Circle to give back to the community by offering the charity organizations the opportunity to raise funds for the wonderful work they are doing.

“It is wonderful that Gold Circle provides the infrastructure for the organizations to sell tickets and for their guests to enjoy a day out at the Canon Gold Cup,” said Mr Naidoo.

The date is Saturday, August 6 and details of the hospitality packages, as well as bookings, can be made by contacting the various participating organizations.

The organizations taking part this year, together with their contact persons and numbers are:

Dafta (Atish Ramruthan – 082 730 7284)

The Durban Hospice for Women (Dane Elsworth – 083 658 0938)

Pesco (Jace Moonsamy – 031 500 7313)

Castle Hill Primary School (Ronnie Moodley – 031 578 2151)

Phoenix Hospice (Kogie Naidoo – 084 510 2201)

Chatsworth Rotary (Logan Pillay – 082 847 3169)

Chatsworth Child Welfare (Mrs S Archary – 031 403 1256)

Hillview Secondary School (J B K Naidoo – 084 619 9920)

Hands Up Group (Hug) (Vigi Naidoo – 031 208 8893)

J. Shri Viathianatha Easvarar Alayam Temple (Monty Moodley – 031 201 5088)

Northwood High School (Martin Elson – 082 659 5192)

Durban Umgeni Rotary Annes (Jan Ronquest – 031 566 4260)

Phoenix Child Welfare (Shamilla Rughbeer – 072 202 6480)

Natal Blind And Deaf Society (Jayce Nair – 031 309 4991)

Verulam Child Welfare (Sheena Dhundall – 082 836 9307)

Westville Lions Club (Terry McDonald – 031 701 5145)

Morningside Primary School (School Office – 031 303 2413)

Pirates Lifesaving Club (James Nisbit – 031 337 0191)