MONTEGO BAY, St James — AFTER having had to stage its major fund-raiser — a 5K run/walk/wheelchair event — virtually over the last two years due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, the Kiwanis Club of Providence-Montego Bay has returned the event to a physical format.

This was announced by chair of the organising committee, Nadine Spence during the official launch for this year’s staging of the event on Thursday at Blue Beat Ultra Lounge on Jimmy Cliff Boulevard in Montego Bay.

The event, now in its 13th year, is scheduled to take place on October 30 in the resort city and will still incorporate a virtual component as well.

According to Spence, the all-female club is hoping to raise roughly $3 million for this year’s staging of the event.

“Last year we made a little under a million, as it was virtual. This year, we are looking at $3 million plus but we are watching the market,” Spence remarked.

Funds raised will benefit breast cancer patients identified through the Jamaica Cancer Society, children at the oncology ward at Cornwall Regional Hospital, cancer survivors in western Jamaica, and will also partially fund projects being executed by the club.

Spence used the occasion to call for more support to stage the event.

“Today, in its 13th year, we are still not where we want to be. We need partnerships, more supporters, and exponential funding — we can’t do this alone,” she stressed.

Executive director of the Jamaica Cancer Society, Michael Leslie, in his remarks, lauded the efforts of the club for assisting in the fight against breast cancer.

“This club here, the Kiwanis Club of Providence-Montego Bay, has been creating the awareness over the last 13 years with this walk/run…and you not only create the awareness but you provide funding to help in the cause…and again we applaud you in that,” he remarked.

President of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce, Oral Heaven also commended the members of the group for their efforts and called on corporate Jamaica to join in and support the initiative.

“This run/walk/wheelchair is not just about awareness, it’s about fund-raising, and it takes cash to care — whether we want to believe it or not. So we encourage corporate Jamaica to lend your support, throw your support behind initiatives such as these,” said Heaven.

“You are making a significant contribution to society and we encourage you to continue,” he told the members of the club in attendance at the launch.