RBC Race for the Kids raises $100K for UWI students

BC Royal Bank (Barbados) Ltd raised $100 000 for students at The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Cave Hill Campus, during the eighth edition of the RBC Race for the Kids (RFTK) over the weekend.

More than 1 600 people participated in the event with some running the 5K course, while others walked and skated along the route at their own pace. The RBC event supports The UWI Cave Hill Campus with the funds raised going towards bursaries and the first year programme at the University. This year, part proceeds will be used to support the development of a mental health app for the students.

“I am pleased with the turnout at this year’s race,” said RBC’s Managing Director for Barbados, Shimon McIntosh. “RFTK is about uplifting others, creating opportunities for youth, and opening doors for the future. In keeping with that core purpose, we are proud in Barbados to support youth and education.”

He added: “RBC has a long legacy of supporting children and youth causes worldwide. It is our purpose to help our clients thrive and our communities prosper. We give meaning to our purpose by supporting initiatives that help youth in our communities realise their potential and improve their wellbeing. RBC Race for the Kids is one of those initiatives.

Professor Clive Landis, Pro Vice Chancellor and Principal of The UWI Cave Hill Campus said it was genuine pleasure for The UWI to host the much-loved event again, for the first time since before COVID-19.

“The RBC Race for the Kids, now in its eighth year, is an important partnership for the campus which continues to raise awareness and funds for student scholarships and student support services to drive student success. I thank RBC and all who supported the event and participated in this worthy cause,” he added.

Participants received medals after completing the race, and a festive atmosphere permeated the UWI compound. There was entertainment, warm up and cool-down exercises, giveaways, a special performance by Mikey Mercer, bouncy castles for the kids, and a few food vendors. The event concluded with the presentation of prizes to the top three winners in the categories of runners, walkers, and skaters.

Among this year’s sponsors were RBC Capital Markets as a platinum sponsor, Hilton Barbados Resort, Consumers’ Guarantee Insurance, Diagnostic Radiology Services, Yellow Bird Hotel, Hanschell Inniss, Aqua Pur, Expressionism, Adopt a Kilometre Outdoor Advertising, Illusion Graphics Inc., Bajan Vending, Pharmacy Sales and ICBL. RBC also gave special thanks to Chefette, Sol, Flow, COSCAB and Dawn-Lisa Callender-Smith of DL Productions, the race coordinator.

RBC Race for the Kids is a global series of charitable running events benefiting children and youth focused causes. Barbados is one of over ten international locations where this RBC signature event takes place annually. Regionally, RBC also has races in Cayman Islands and Trinidad and Tobago, all supporting youth charities. A race is scheduled for the Cayman Islands in May.

(PR)