TRADE Winds Citrus Limited raised a record-breaking $4.9 million for Linstead Public Hospital following the successful ninth staging of the Tru-Juice 5K Run/Walk this year.

The official handover ceremony took place recently at the St Catherine-based hospital.

The money, which will be used to purchase medical equipment and upgrade hospital facilities, represents the largest amount ever raised in the event’s history and will significantly enhance the hospital’s ability to serve the growing needs of the community.

Peter McConnell, managing director, Trade Winds Citrus Limited, emphasised the company’s commitment to supporting the Linstead community and reflected on the success of the event.

“Supporting the community is at the heart of what we do at Trade Winds,” McConnell said.

“The Linstead Public Hospital plays a crucial role in the lives of so many people, and we are proud to contribute to its growth and improvement. This year’s Tru-Juice 5K was a tremendous success, and the turnout exceeded all our expectations,” added McConnell

This marks the fifth consecutive year that the hospital has been the primary beneficiary of the event.

Camile Wallen-Panton, CEO of the hospital, expressed gratitude for the ongoing partnership with Tru-Juice.

“This donation is invaluable to us. It will allow us to provide better health-care services by ensuring that we have the right tools and equipment in place. We are thankful for the continued support from Tru-Juice, and it is heart-warming to see how much the community rallies behind this cause every year. The impact of this partnership cannot be overstated — it truly makes a difference in the lives of our patients,” said Wallen-Panton.

While the event was successful, it did not come without its share of challenges. Hurricane Beryl, which struck Jamaica on July 3, posed significant difficulties in the lead-up to the race. With only 200 participants registered by July 8 and widespread damage in some areas, a postponement was considered.

“When Beryl hit we were really unsure whether we could pull off the event as planned. By early July, registration numbers were far below expectations, and the hurricane had caused damage in several areas. We knew we had a tough decision to make.

“But we also knew that the Linstead Public Hospital needed the funds, and the community was counting on us. So we pushed through, and by race day we had over 3,000 participants — more than we had ever seen before. It was truly a team effort, and the turnout reflected the strength and resilience of our community,” said Lauren Mahfood, marketing manager at Trade Winds Citrus.

She noted that this year the Tru-Juice 5K saw a record 3,125 participants, surpassing expectations and becoming the most successful staging to date.

With the success of the 2024 event, Trade Winds Citrus is already gearing up for the 10th staging of the 5K in 2025, which promises to be even bigger and better as the company continues its commitment to supporting the health and well-being of the Linstead community.