Melbourne’s 5K Run/Walk to benefit SOJ
ALL the proceeds from this year’s second staging of the Melbourne Cricket Club/Pure Water 5K Run/Walk will go towards the Special Olympics Jamaica (SOJ) to offset the cost of sending the team to the 2017 Winter Olympics Games scheduled for Austria from March 14-27.
The March 6 event, which is set to begin at 7:00 am at Melbourne, was launched at the club’s home ground yesterday.
In addition, Melbourne CC has signed a three-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) with SOJ. The signing of the agreement was done by Mark Neita, president of Melbourne, and Dr Carlton Davis, chairman of SOJ.
Lorna Bell, executive director at SOJ, welcomed the support from Melbourne.
“We at SOJ are extremely grateful to Mr Mark Neita and his team here at Melbourne CC for making us the charity of their 5K Run/Walk, and most importantly, the signing of the MOU between the SOJ and the Melbourne CC. Occasions like these are very important to us as they provide a platform to inspire and to make a difference in the lives of persons with intellectual disability. Making a difference comes in many forms and this is one,” Bell said.
Neita encouraged the participation from all cricket clubs and parishes islandwide and urged everyone to come out in their best cricket outfit to showcase the sport.
“We hope that by staging this event we can also promote the game of cricket and sensitise the public to the important role cricket clubs and parishes play in the development of communities, the youth and the sport in Jamaica.
“In an effort to encourage participation from the cricket fraternity, Melbourne CC will be contributing $15,000 to the cricket club with the most participants and $15,000 to the cricket club that looks best in their club colours. All entrants from the cricket clubs and parishes will pay only $500 or half price to participate,” he said.
Neita thanked sponsors for coming on board to support the event.
“We at Melbourne CC would like to thank Pure Water, our title sponsor, for their continued support, but there are several other sponsors that have come on and supported this event we could not do it without you,” he noted.
Other sponsors of the event are Excel Auto Parts, Global Benefits Group, Caribbean Flavours and Fragrances, United Financial Consultants, Minott Services Limited, Island Concrete Company Limited, Jamaica Observer, Qualcare Limited, JP, Sandals, JUTC, Sure Time, Coffe Roaster, Bouncers, AVIS, KSAC, KVG, John Ambulance, JCA, WICB, WIPA, Power 106 FM, Music 99 FM, TVJ, and Spectrum Insurance Brokers.
— Ruddy Allen