(MISSISSAUGA) - The Subaru Triathlon Series, in conjunction with title sponsor Subaru Canada, Inc. (SCI), is pleased to announce Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada as the official charity of the Subaru Triathlon Series.

  In the next few months, the Subaru Triathlon Series will be building and unveiling a program that will allow athletes to "make their race count." All athletes and partners will have the ability to make a one-time contribution or create their own personalized fundraising page to collect donations online. Athletes will have the ability to choose to race on behalf of the House of their choice. The main focus will be the four Houses across Ontario (Hamilton, London, Ottawa or Toronto), but donations across Canada will be accepted. The more the athlete raises, the greater the benefits for all. The highest earners have the opportunity to win valuable triathlon gear and race entries.

"Subaru Canada is thrilled to be a part of the Subaru Triathlon Series, which has named Ronald McDonald House Charities as its official charity," said Shiro Ohta, president and CEO of Subaru Canada, Inc.  "We view our involvement as a way to ensure that caring people and great organizations get the help they need to make their presence felt in communities across the country."

Ronald McDonald Houses are community houses; each one is independently owned and operated and relies on active contributions and support from individual donors, corporations and charitable groups in their communities. Support from events like the Subaru Triathlon Series will help Ronald McDonald Houses provide more than 10,000 families of seriously ill children with a safe and comfortable place to stay that is just steps from the hospital where their child is undergoing medical treatment.

"We are so thrilled to have the support of the Subaru family as part of the Subaru Triathlon Series," said Cathy Loblaw, President and CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities. "Subaru has been a longstanding partner to our Houses in helping sick children heal with their families, and it is through the support of our amazing partners like Subaru that we hope to serve 20,000 families in 2014."

Subaru Canada is a long-time supporter of active lifestyles, proudly sponsoring a number of triathlon and running events. Each one offers competitors of all ages and skill levels a chance to compete in a variety of events from coast to coast, from kids' fun runs and introductory triathlons to elite Subaru Triathlon Series competitions. To find out more about Subaru-supported triathlon or running events, please visit www.trisportcanada.com (Ontario), www.triseries.ca (Western Canada) or www.trinb.ca (Eastern Canada). To learn more about fundraising opportunities, please contact janet.fraser@ironman.com.

About Ronald McDonald Charities® (RMHC®) Canada:

In 1982, Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada was founded to be the everlasting organization that would support Ronald McDonald Houses and their programs in Canada. Ronald McDonald Houses provide a home away from home for out of town families with sick children being treated at a nearby hospital. Today, 14 Ronald McDonald Houses serve more than 10,000 families each year. By 2014 that support will grow to serving over 20,000 families. Completing our circle of support for Canadians is the Ronald McDonald Family Room® program providing an oasis of calm and support right inside the walls of the Hospital - today there are nine Family Rooms across Canada, and two Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles™.

Website:             www.rmhc.ca   

Facebook:           RMHC Canada     

Subaru Canada, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of over 85 authorized dealers across Canada. For more information, visit www.subaru.ca or www.pr.subaru.ca.