Kingston, Jamaica – The 2nd annual LIME Foundation ‘Run for the Children’ which got underway on Sunday, January 18 at saw an 80% boost in participation over its inaugural staging in 2014. Set to provide financial support for Paediatric Cancer patients, the fundraising fitness event with an extra ‘K’, attracted near 1600 runners and walkers to a new venue in the ‘Sunshine City’- the Fort Clarence Beach.
The fastest times of 20:07 ( male) and 24:05 ( female) in the Run category were secured by Obrien Frith,19, and Shanieke Watson, 17, respectively, with Rohan Gordon,34, and Paula Sinclair,40, taking the top spots in the Walk category with times of 36:02 ( male) and 41:49 (female).
Crediting the broadened support to a change of venue and other added attractions, Errol Miller, Executive Chairman of the LIME Foundation is already anticipating even stronger growth next year.
“I really believe this event will continue to grow from strength to strength and this is evidenced by the overwhelming support we have gotten this year. We started out unsure of how a run in Portmore would play out and we are indeed pleased at the strides we have made so far” Miller highlighted.
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| The top awardees in the 2015 LIME Foundation 6K 'Run For the Children' Shanieke Watson ( 3rd left), Obrien Frith ( Centre), Paula Sinclair ( 4th right) and Rohan Gordon ( 2nd left) are flanked by representatives of the LIME Foundation, the Bustamante Children's Hospital and participating sponsors. L-R, Dr. Sara Lawrence, LIME Brand Ambassador, Dr. Michelle Ann Richards-Dawson, BHC Senior Medical Officer, Errol Miller, Executive Chairman of the LIME Foundation, Debbie Grant, Huawei and Cornelia Nathan, Gatorade. |
Another successful element of this year’s effort has been the introduction of a text donation line through which mobile users on both networks could make a contribution of $50 per text towards the Cancer fund. According to Mr. Miller, in just two weeks since the fund has been launched, the Foundation has raised almost $250,000. The text line will become a permanent fixture for the cause throughout the year.
“We thank all those who have come out to support the event this year, those who sent donation texts and we will be setting our focus on energizing even more members of the Portmore Community as we aim to make this event one of the largest of its kind in Jamaica” Miller added. The LIME Foundation also staged a Family Fun Day at the end of the race from gate proceeds set to go towards the fund.
Last year’s event saw the LIME Foundation handing over a cheque for $3 million dollars to the Bustamante Hospital to support the acquisition of a Fluoroscopy machine which is used in the diagnosis of patients with renal (kidney) failure.
