MONTEGO BAY, St James — Students across Jamaica will now be able to benefit from funds raised through the MBJ Charity Run/Walk.

“This is the first year we are extending the grant islandwide for all to benefit,” manager of commercial business development and marketing at MBJ Airports Limited, Sharon Hislop-Holt told the Jamaica Observer.

“The need is islandwide, and as we are growing we are in a position to extend to all,” she explained.

For the last four years support from the MBJ Charity Run/Walk was limited to students in western Jamaica.

With expansion of the pool of beneficiaries in its fifth year, viewed as a major milestone, Hislop-Holt pointed out that the goal is to donate more than they ever have — $30 million, or as close to it as possible.

Last year the initiative raised $22 million and organisers were able to pay the tuition for a number of secondary- and tertiary-level students. Some of the funds were also earmarked for community development, via the MBJ Foundation through which registered organisations can get grant funding for community initiatives.

“It has been great, growing year over year with support from corporate Jamaica and a variety of individuals,” Hislop-Holt stated.

Last year 2,300 individuals participated in the event and this year, the crowd was even bigger.

“We had 3,744 persons registered for the run/walk this year — the largest total we’ve had so far,” said Hislop-Holt.

She had high praises for the support they received in making the event the success it was.

“We had over 100 companies coming on board with us for this wonderful initiative,” added Hislop-Holt.

Mayor of Montego Bay Richard Vernon, who was a participant, expressed joy that the city continues to be selected to play host to a number of these events.

“The MBJ Run/Walk charity event was another successful milestone for the city. Montego Bay is fast becoming the 5K city, which is good within the context of health and charity,” Vernon told the Observer.

“These events continue to bridge the city’s gaps in access to education while promoting healthy lifestyles. The municipal corporation has been a robust partner of all the 5Ks and is committed to making provisions to facilitate them more efficiently,” added Vernon.

The top male runner for this year’s 10K in the MBJ Charity Run/Walk was Evans Tetteh, a student from Jamaica College; the top female was Cecile Heinrich.