CAMPION College is using a new strategy to raise money, with their “Spin 50: Spinathon Scholarship Party” to be held on November 7 at Gym Liguanea on the campus.

The spinathon, which is open to the public, will run from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm and feature twelve 50-minute sessions of the latest fitness craze, SpinningTM, which simulates bicycle riding on specialised stationary bikes.

Faced with student welfare costs of over J$5 million annually, Campion has launched an aggressive bid to fund their Vision 2020 Student Support Programme through requests to parents, alumni and corporate donors to sponsor scholarships, as well as the organisation of innovative events such as “Spin 50”.

“Government subvention funds provide absolutely nothing for the development of our plant and facilities or for the welfare of our students from disadvantaged circumstances,” said Campion’s principal, Grace Baston in a release to the media. “Given the current economic climate, the need among this group of students for financial assistance is far greater than ever before. In our current academic year, over 300 of these students were unable to pay the modest auxiliary fee of J$16,000.

“In addition, every year the school is called upon to assist at least 50 of these students with all their educational needs – fees, books, uniforms, transportation and meals. For all of these bright, eager students, this assistance could be the difference between taking up their well-earned place at Campion and not attending school at all.”

Spin 50 will be led by some of Jamaica’s top instructors, including Campion alumnus Michael ‘Mighty Mike’ Fisher, who have generously donated their time to the event. In addition, a team from title sponsors Caribbean Broilers will cook lunch while beverage sponsors Wisynco and Island Ice will provide drinks for sale.

“It’s going to be a great day,” said Sarah Moss-Solomon, manager of Gym Liguanea, hosts of the event. “Our corporate sponsors have really jumped onboard with Avis and NCB Foundation already signing up teams to give two scholarships, while LIME and Cari-Med are giving spot prizes and Shakti and Body by Selena have chipped in additional bikes so that we can hold up to 33 participants per session.”

Registration is now open at Gym Liguanea (www.gymliguanea.com). Adults are asked to contribute J$2,500 and teens J$500 per 50-minute session, with all proceeds going towards Campion’s Vision 2020 Student Support Programme.