ST JAMES, Jamaica— The recently held fourth annual MBJ Charity Run has set a new fundraising record of $22 million for education and community development in western Jamaica.

MBJ Airports Limited said in a release on Friday that the achievement was attained by the growing support and commitment from various stakeholders including corporate sponsors and government officials.

It added that over 2,300 people participated in the run/walk event which had 87 sponsors.  From the proceeds, the company said it will be awarding grants to 150 students directly and announcing the six community development projects/schools to benefit in a ceremony on November 19, 2024.

Shane Munroe, chief executive officer (CEO) of MBJ Airports Limited, said the proceeds from the event will go towards education, and benefit students of various academic levels.

“It’s a charity event, a fundraiser focused on education. There’s a lot of need in the community, specifically across Western Jamaica, and this event allows us to support students at various academic levels.  One hundred per cent of these proceeds are going back to the community.  We will be providing students with academic scholarships, and we will also be investing in some community development,” Munroe said.

Joining in the accomplishments of the day, title sponsors of the run, Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ)— which was also celebrating its 50th anniversary— committed to supporting the charity event permanently.

“This year was even more special because it’s our anniversary.  We came on board not just as participants but also as title sponsors as this is one of the ways in which we interact with the wider environment and communities that our airports serve,” said Audley Deidrick, president and CEO of the AAJ.

He added: “I am putting it out there from now that this is a permanent position that we are holding.  We know the importance of education in our country, not just for economic development but we have a scourge of crime, and we believe that education is one of the routes to rescue Jamaica from that scourge.”

MBJ said corporate sponsors played a crucial role in the event’s success, with Club Mobay— a long-standing supporter of the charity run— bringing approximately 60 team members to participate. The sponsor’s CEO went on to stress the importance of giving back, stating, “”Our communities need us.  We are benefitting from their support, whether as workers or travellers.  So, it’s always good to give back, and we need to keep this going.”

First-time sponsor of the event, Elite Concepts and Solutions (ECS), said that they joined the initiative as it is a special one since it focuses on an area that will have “wide-reaching impact”.

Steffan-Chad Haughton, Marketing and Digital Services Manager, ECS (2nd left) pauses for a quick photo op with members of his Elite Concepts and Solutions Team.

Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon and members of the St James Municipal Corporation were also out to support and participate in the event. Vernon, who explained that he was present for three reasons— charity, fitness and competition— praised the event stating that funds raised fill in the gaps where public funds fall short.

“Many times, we have these public fundings available, but it’s not reaching certain persons and sometimes it’s not enough. So, it’s good when Montego Bay and Corporate Jamaica can come together for events like this for persons who are in need,” Vernon said.