THE Jamaica Down’s Syndrome Foundation (JDSF) raised more than $2 million at the third staging of its Bredrin 2K Walk, held on Sunday, October 18, at Hope Gardens in St Andrew.

The event attracted more than 250 participants, including families, corporate sponsors, volunteers and members of the Down syndrome community, all united in support of greater inclusion and improved opportunities for people with Down syndrome.

Held under the theme ‘Stronger Together Against Loneliness’, the annual event highlighted the importance of meaningful connections, access to essential services and the need to remove barriers that often leave persons with Down syndrome and their families feeling excluded.

Funds raised will go directly towards supporting the foundation’s ongoing programmes, including counselling sessions for parents, bi-monthly parent support meetings, free eye and hearing screenings, educational guides and printed resources for new parents, and grants for active members of the foundation.

The funds will also support the provision of free pneumococcal vaccines for children with Down syndrome, who face an increased risk of potentially life-threatening pneumococcal infections.

Speaking on the success of the event, the foundation’s Executive Director of Events Nadine Tarawalli described the walk as a growing movement for social change.

“Bredrin 2K Walk is more than a walk, it is a movement to break barriers, challenge limits and build a Jamaica where persons with Down syndrome can thrive. Our JPS (Jamaica Public Service Company) volunteers came fully charged and delivered without a single outage, and our sponsors showed what real partnership looks like by investing in inclusion, opportunity and a stronger Jamaica,” said Tarawalli.

“We are stronger together, and we are only getting started. Help us make that dream a reality. Bredrin 2K Walk 2027, bigger and better,” added Tarawalli.

Participants in the third staging of the Jamaica Down’s Syndrome Foundation Bredrin 2K Walk, held on Sunday, October 18, at Hope Gardens in St Andrew.

The third staging received the endorsement of the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD), reinforcing the importance of collaborative efforts to advance the rights, inclusion and well-being of persons with disabilities.

Among the returning supporters was Tim Harris, founder of the Tim Harris Foundation, who travelled from the United States with his team to participate in the walk.

Harris has supported the initiative since its inception, demonstrating his continued commitment to families and individuals within Jamaica’s Down syndrome community.

“I’ve been coming to the Bredrin Walk for the last three years to support the Jamaica Down Syndrome Foundation from the US. This year was so much fun to travel to Jamaica with my team to walk and support families of children with Down Syndrome,” Harris shared enthusiastically.

He said his continued participation reflects the growing reach of the Bredrin 2K Walk and the meaningful connections being built through a shared commitment to inclusion.

The foundation expressed appreciation to its many sponsors who came aboard.

Now in its third year, the Bredrin 2K Walk continues to provide a platform for advocacy, community engagement and fund-raising, while celebrating the abilities and contributions of persons with Down syndrome.

Tarawalli, said the foundation remains committed to building a Jamaica where no person with Down syndrome or their family feels left behind.