Record Number of Charities and Fundraisers Sign up for Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon

HALIFAX, NS--(Marketwired - May 13, 2015) - A record 81 local charities and more than 1,200 walkers and runners have signed up to support the Scotiabank Charity Challenge and fundraise during the Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon weekend, May 15-17.

"The success of the Scotiabank Charity Challenge is yet another example of communities building Blue Nose weekend into something bigger than six running events," said co-chair, Rod McCulloch. "Our mission is for Nova Scotians to be healthy and active; and raising half a million dollars annually to help people in our community serves our mission," he said.

Anne Melanson, President of Bloom Non Profit and fundraising consultant in Halifax is not surprised by the accelerated growth. "Even in a competitive fundraising environment, this event has grown every year for good reason. It's become a signature event for the region, Scotiabank has been an actively engaged sponsor partner, and the organizers make it very easy for donors to support runners with a secure online website," said Melanson.

Charity participation has gone from 17 charities to 81 in just six years and this year's fundraising goals of $530,000 is quadruple the $124,000 raised in the first year of the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. Through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, participating charities keep 100% of the proceeds raised, as Scotiabank pays for all transaction and credit card fees.

The Featured Charities of the 2015 Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon include:

• Ecology Action Centre
• Phoenix
• Symphony Nova Scotia

For a list of additional charities participating in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, please see the attached backgrounder.

"The Scotiabank Charity Challenge is a unique part of this sporting event as it goes beyond the race to raise much-needed funds for local charities," said Craig Thompson, Scotiabank Senior Vice President for Atlantic Region. "I would like to congratulate the 2015 feature charities and encourage the public to support their favorite charity by signing up, fundraising and running this Saturday or Sunday."