McConnell targets bigger, better Tru-Juice 5K Run/Walk
The 2016 staging of the Tru-Juice Cross Country 5K Run/Walk will continue to donate proceeds in aid of buying medical equipment for the Linstead Hospital.
The June 5 event, which will also see a mountain bicycle race, was launched on Friday at the Linstead Hospital, in St Catherine.
Proceeds from last year’s third staging were used to buy a new ECG machine, which was presented to the hospital during the launch.
Peter McConnell, managing director at Tru-Juice, said that he was looking forward to a bigger and better Tru-Juice 5K Run/Walk this year.
“We started this event three years ago and for the first years, we weren’t sure of our cause. And so, last year we decided to name the Linstead Hospital as our beneficiary and it was truly the right worthy cause. Last year we had 1,657 participants and the this year we are taking the same approach and trying to get more persons to be a part of this venture, as we want it to be bigger and better. We are looking at making the first Sunday in June to be our annual 5K Run/Walk,” McConnell said.
Dr Norman Dunn, vice board chairman at South East Regional Health Authority, (SERHA) gave his support to the event and encouraged everyone to come out and run/walk/ride for a cause.
“I appreciate Tru-Juice for once again selecting the Linstead Hospital as their beneficiary for the 5K Run/Walk. They used the money raised last year and bought an ECG machine for the hospital, and I have no doubt that this machine will do a lot for the hospital. This event is for a worthy cause and so I am giving my support to the event. To my fellow Jamaicans, come out and support this venture, as this is for a worthy cause and we, together, can make a difference,” he said.
Camile Wallen Panton, acting chief executive officer at Linstead Hospital, thanked Trade Winds Citrus Limited, manufacturers of Tru-Juice, for its continual support and encouraged other companies to come on board.
“It is with great pleasure that I thank Trade Winds Citrus Limited, with their brand Tru-Juice, for their support. What they are saying to us is that, for the amount of problems we faced, we can achieve. This initiative by Tru-Juice will go a long way for the hospital. I ask that other companies in the Linstaed and Bog Walk communities come on board and make the Linstead Hospital a facility of excellence,” she noted.
