The spray of confetti filling the air signalled the start of the 2019 CB Group UWI Scholarship Fund 5K and also marked the culmination of what was another successful campaign of raising funds to help support worthy students in completing their education.

Speaking at the races at the UWI Mona campus, UWI Principal Professor Dale Webber said that through the contributions made at the last campaign, the institution had managed to help approximately 300 students avoid deregistration.

In thanking the participants, donors, volunteers and staff, he added that the event had rightly become a staple on the running calendar and had demonstrated that it was worthy of even greater support.

“With the tremendous support of the CB Group, as well as other corporate and individual partners, we have created a terrific event, one that not only elevates the university’s brand, but, more importantly, continues to perform the vital task of helping talented students who otherwise cannot afford it to remain in school, get their degrees and go on to make their respective contributions to society. It is our wish that deregistration will be a thing of the past,” said the UWI principal.

As the anxious youngsters, including students from in and around the campus got ready to run/walk in the Kids 1K event, Webber encouraged them to embrace the campus as their own as they look to become future students of the UWI and also to become the next generation of athletes.

“By contributing to this event you are already securing your path to university,” he said.

CB Group CEO Matthew Lyn expressed gratitude at the completion of the 2019 campaign, and said the groundwork had been laid for even greater success and broader impact in 2020.

“We’re really grateful for the input of all who make this event possible and come off as brilliantly as it has, and we seek your continued support in helping students stay in school, as that benefits all of us,” he noted.

The Special CB Group UWI 5K honoree for 2019, coach and broadcaster, Neville “Bertis” Bell, who coached the UWI football team to success, was momentarily at a loss for words at the presentation.

“I’m only sorry my mother isn’t here to witness this,” Bell said.

At the launch of the event, the presentation function also heard from previous scholarship awardee, Jezeel Martin, now practising law as an associate at a leading firm. Martin, a product of the surrounding August Town community, recounted the pressure of having to come up with $400,000 within two weeks to avoid deregistration, a pressure compounded by the fact that his hard-working mother had suffered a massive stroke. The CB-UWI Scholarhsip, he said, was “a lifesaver” that is allowing him to live out his dreams, as is the case for the other recipients.

UWI graduate and media personality Miss Kitty guided the proceedings in her signature gregarious, yet eloquent style, which included bringing on the featured entertainment, dancehall icon Beenie Man.

Like the host, Beenie is an individual contributor to the scholarship programme.