Stedson ‘Red Plastic Bag’ Wiltshire with the youngest walker on the route, 9-year-old Blake Cummins of Welches Primary.
If Cultural Ambassador Stedson Red Plastic Bag Wiltshire had his way, the Walk the Talk fundraiser would be recognised on the national calendar of events.
The fourth and final leg of the successful month-long charity walk climaxed on Sunday with hundreds of walkers of all ages overcoming the more than 12 miles from Lancaster, St. James to Daryll Jordan Secondary School in Trents, St. Lucy.
The event was staged by the Red Foundation of which Wiltshire is patron.
“I would love this walk to make it onto the national calendar because I believe the cause is one that all Barbadians can appreciate. It is not only good exercise, it is a little longer than the average walk and people enjoy it, but the main objective is for us to help those among us that need additional support. It takes a village. We live in a world where just enough is no longer enough and if we are going to do something to show people how much we care we have to go the distance. And this is why the walk is the length it is, this is why we have gone all across Barbados doing this walk and I am happy that people are supporting,” Wiltshire said during an interview with Barbados TODAY at Daryll Jordan.
The ten-time calypso monarch was also pleased by the outpouring of support from walkers over the four legs but especially on the final day. It was a stark increase over the debut walk in September 2020 when, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event had to be mostly virtual.
Even as the rays of the morning sun began to intensify loads of walkers, many walking among groups of friends, families and work colleagues, braved the stretch in an effort to raise funds and non-perishables for Barbadian families that are hurting and need help. Minister of Community Empowerment Kirk Humphrey was among them and he applauded the Red Foundation and vowed his commitment to working closely with the charity.
Expressing concern about the number of incidents of non-communicable diseases and the overall health and wellness of Barbadians, as well as poverty and pollution, the minister endorsed Walk the Talk as an exemplar of what it means to fight for one’s country.
“It is a good thing that we are walking. We can stay healthy as we walk, we can exercise and make the most of the moment. Barbadians need to get out and stay fit, and I want to commend you on this exercise because it is part of government’s agenda for health and for wellness. But is also a fight against poverty and for those who are suffering to make sure that we can do more for them. This initiative would allow the Foundation to be able to accrue enough resources to help other people and it makes no difference in this country if we start to prosper but some people are left behind. So, I commend the Foundation for the work to be able to help those who need the help the most,” Humphrey added.
With the successful staging of the second instalment in the bag and the hope of the event becoming annual, Wiltshire said that the plan was underway to sort what had already been collected and distribution is expected to continue over the coming months. By way of 2020’s walk and contribution from across the Diaspora, they were able to support more than 100 families, this time they expect to increase that amount and the Foundation invited people to continue donating.
Wiltshire said: “I think against the backdrop of so many negatives occurring across the world, the walk also provided a feel-good moment for people knowing they were supporting a worthy cause. The walk overall was a success, of course, we can always do with more donations, or whatever help we can get to help people across Barbados who are in need. We will gladly accept.”
This year Walk the Talk began on September 4 at Ragged Point in St. Philip to the Concorde Experience at Spencer’s, Christ Church; leg two (Sept. 11) picked up from the Concorde Experience onto the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) at The Pine, St. Michael whereas, leg three moved from CBC to Lancaster (Sept. 18). Contributions are still being accepted via the Republic Bank account #: 098327482001; and routing number for wire transfers: 00009006 or https://gofund.me/11350567.
(KC)
Minister of Community Empowerment Kirk Humphrey (front) was among the walkers and commended the Red Foundation for the initiative.
