The University of the West Indies is seeking to raise more than $100 000 from the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Race For The Kids to be held in March.
The 5K event, a collaboration between the University of the West Indies and RBC, was a huge success last year when $63 000 was raised and hopes are high for more of the same for the March 11 event.
Speaking at a Press launch yesterday morning, pro vice-chancellor and principal of UWI’s Cave Hill Campus, Professor Eudine Barriteau, said the university was seeking to attract near 3 000 entrants, more than double last year’s field of 1 300.
“I was very excited about the response we got from last year. As you know, the campus has been having financial challenges and through it all, we have been hanging in there with all students.
“The $63 000 enabled us to offer scholarships, as well as assist students with the first-year programme, specifically mental health initiatives. We are aiming to raise more than $100 000 this year,” she said.
Last year, the campus used the funds to offer six new scholarships valued at $7 000 each, while $20 000 benefited students in the first-year Experience Mental Health Programme.
All proceeds will go towards students who can no longer finance their studies, and to support new students as they start their first year at campus.
“The 2018 race is dedicated to the UWI Cave Hill Campus Student Scholarship Fund and the first-year experience programme. Scholarships will be made available to both undergraduate and postgraduate students,” she said.
This is the 70th anniversary celebrations of the University of the West Indies and, according to Barriteau, the campus plans to offer a 70th anniversary scholarship to its student body.
Barriteau made it clear the Race For The Kids went way beyond sport.
“This is more than a race. The race is a vehicle for ensuring that we assist students to get that education that becomes a lever to opening the doors to many opportunities.
“The race is just symbolic of the opportunities that this collaboration between RBC and the campus provides,” she said.
Managing director of RBC, Robert de Silva, said that the race was part of a global series of charitable runs supporting children’s and youth causes around the world.
Race co-ordinator Dawn Lisa Callender said the family-friendly event would start at 4 p.m. and was open to all ages. There are two separate race components: a 5K run/walk and a 5K timed runners race that starts and finishes at the Cave Hill Campus. (MK)
