Sigma Corporate Run sets $50-m target

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

THE organisers of the PanCaribbean Sigma Corporate Run are targeting a fundraising amount of $50 million for this year's 14th staging of the annual event.

The 2012 edition of the charity run, which will be held on February 19, will be supported by three distinguished patrons who have joined forces with PanCaribbean Financial Services. The trio is the Governor General's wife, Patricia Allen, Dr R 'Danny' Williams and national sprint icon Usain Bolt.

Endorsed under the theme 'Play your part, save a heart', the event is expected to attract more than the approximate 14,700 runners, walkers and persons in wheelchair who participated last year.

Dozens of corporate entities have confirmed their participation for this year's event, which will see proceeds going to the Chain of Hope Jamaica in support of cardiac programmes at the Bustamante Hospital for Children.

The head race organiser Alfred Francis said the proceeds will go a far way in helping children who require heart surgeries.

"Being able to outfit the Hospital for Children ward with equipment needed to facilitate heart surgeries is a worthy move in the right direction, especially with heart surgeries that would cost families in the region of US$10,000. Without JA$50 million, children in dire need of these vital surgeries may lose their lives," he said.

Studies indicate that hundreds of babies are born each year with heart disease in Jamaica.

President and chief executive officer (CEO) of PanCaribbean, Donovan Perkins, said this year will be extra special, given that it coincides with Jamaica's 50th year since gaining Independence.

"We thought it would be great to celebrate the PanCaribbean Sigma Corporate Run at 14-years-old and Jamaica becoming 50-years-old with something very special this year, and at the same time do something tremendously good -- helping babies," said Perkins.

The PanCaribbean Sigma Corporate Run, which is now regarded as the largest, single road-running race in the Caribbean and Central America is scheduled for a prompt 7:30 am start.

The 5.6 kilometre (3.5 mile) distance race begins at the PanCaribbean Head Office on Knutsford Boulevard and ends at Emancipation Park, and will traverse a route along Waterloo Road, West Kings House Road, Constant Spring Road, Ruthven Road, Winchester Road, Half-Way-Tree Road and Oxford Road.

The intersection of Knutsford and Oxford Roads will be closed to vehicular raffic as of 4:00 am. There will be no parking permitted along the entire length of Knutsford Boulevard and in the vicinity of Emancipation Park.

Persons who are not able to take part in the race can make donations at any PanCaribbean office islandwide. Digicel customers can also send a blank text message to 444-2498.