Sigma Run achieves $50-m target
Executive director of Sagicor Foundation, Ingrid Card, is urging the public to extend their assistance to the 2018 beneficiaries of the Sagicor Sigma Corporate Run, even as the $50-million target was achieved..
President and CEO of Sagicor Group Jamaica, Christopher Zacca made the announcement yesterday to participants who were lined up along Knutsford Boulevard ahead of the official start of the charity road race .
“As we celebrate our 20th year, it’s an overwhelming feeling to see what we have been able to accomplish. We are extremely proud we were able to raise sufficient funds to assist the children at the Spanish Town Hospital Neonatal Unit and the St Christopher’s School for the Deaf,” said Zacca.
Card, while noting that the foundation was pleased to have met the target said, however, that much more is needed to improve the facilities being assisted.
“St Christopher’s School for the Deaf, not a lot of people know about them … they are in need and long after Sigma I want people to remember them and continue to help them,” Card told the Jamaica Observer yesterday.
“The Spanish Town Hospital, what can I say? They deliver almost as many babies as Jubilee Hospital and they do not have a lot of support. When they tell you that about 500 of those babies are preemies you know the need is great. So, long after Sigma I want the people to remember them and whatever they can give to them to continue perform the miracles that they do, that is what we ask,” Card added.
Yesterday’s road race saw 26,519 participants, a record turnout for the fund-raising event.
“We made our target and that was partly due to being oversubscribed for registration, even though you only make half your money from that. We had a pop-up shop that really did well for us …we are grateful for everybody that registered, purchased a tent, made a donation. We thank them because they helped us to make our target and that money will go to very good causes,” Card said, adding that next year’s staging will be held on February 17, 2019.
Ryon Chambers, 38, crossed the finishing line first in a time of 18.29 minutes. Chambers, who was ecstatic with his win after competing for the fourth year, told the Observer that yesterday’s race was part of his preparation for the Kingston City Run.
Jamaican Paralympians Alphanso Cunningham and Sylvia Grant won the Wheelers Segment in 25.15 minutes and 31.23 minutes, respectively.
“I like the changing of the route and it was fun. For me to come out and do this for Spanish Town… just to give back to that worthy cause is just a great feeling for me,” Cunningham told the Observer.
Grant, 55, who was quick to point out that she has been participating in the wheeler category since the inception of the run, said the foundation’s initiative has captivated her over the years.
Meanwhile, Duwell Allen and Paula Sinclair won the walker section in a time of 29.18 minutes and 37.34 minutes, respectively.