GRACEKENNEDY launched its seventh annual education run last week, announcing that cycling would be a new feature of the event. The run is the main fund-raising event of the Grace and Staff Community Development Foundation.

“It’s a 5K, and yes, they are small steps, but they make big impact,” said GraceKennedy Group CEO Don Wehby.

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest,” he continued, quoting Benjamin Franklin.

“I love that quote, because, as a business executive, I understand that the right investments with the right returns can make a significant change to a company or country. When it comes to education, the return on investment – or ROI – cannot be measured. It is priceless,” he added.

The Grace and Staff Foundation currently assists just under 500 children from inner-city areas to access education at the secondary and tertiary levels.

According to general manager of the foundation, Tanketa Chance-Wilson its success is in the fact that more students are doing better than ever before, so there is a strain on the Foundation’s resources. “That’s why the run is so important to us,” she said.

The 5K walk/run/cycle takes place on Sunday, July 12 in downtown Kingston. Registration for the event is $1,000 per person, or $900 per person for groups over 50. Those who wish to take part in the cycling portion of the event will pay $20,000 for a team of five individuals.

Interested persons can visit www.gracekennedy.com for more information.