The anti-violence message got a huge push when hundreds of people joined the Nation Group in the Nation Funathlon yesterday.
About 3 000 people registered for the event, which was held under the theme Stand Up For A Better Barbados.
The Fun Run and Walk started at the popular Granny’s Restaurant in Oistins, Christ Church and made its way through several districts in the parish before returning to Oistins.
For the fourth straight year, the funds raised will go toward anti-violence charities. The focus on violence came in light of a recent spate of highly visible and public violent acts, which directly affected bystanders and dominated newspaper pages.
Head of marketing and communication for the Nation Group, Valerie Hope, encouraged people to take a stand against violence and work towards creating a better Barbados.
Corey Lane, a founder of Nature Fun Ranch – one of the two entities earmarked to receive funds raised from the Funathlon this year – led participants through the pledge that was one of the hallmarks of the anti-violence campaign leading up to the event.
The group, which operates from Bruce Vale Plantation in St Andrew, works with at-risk youth.
PAREDOS is the other beneficiary.
Last year, the event raised about $20 000, which was donated to PAREDOS and the Business and Professional Women’s Club Safe House and Crisis Centre.
There was a minute’s silence in honour of Remembrance Day.
The Bajanantics team led the warm-up session, and ten minutes after the scheduled 4 p.m. start, Nation Group chief executive officer Anthony Shaw pulled the trigger to get the Funathlon going.
The Funathlon was a spectacle as many participants vied for the best anti-violence concept.
The usual characters in costume and bizarre attire were not as plentiful as previous years, but a 50-strong team from the Barbados Fire Service was out with their fire hats. It included staff, family and friends.
Participants had access to a Kids Zone, got pictures taken, and collected samples of healthy snacks, drinks and supplements. (LK)
