Chefette Fun Run aims to make a difference for children in need

As Barbados prepares for the annual Chefette Fun Run, organisers have highlighted an urgent need to support children facing hardship across the island.

With a focus on continuing the legacy of the broadcaster and philanthropist Dame Olga Lopes-Seale, this year’s event, themed Be the Difference, aims to raise vital funds for school supplies and essential items, ensuring that no child goes without the basics.

Speaking at the launch event held at the Assad Haloute Complex in Lears, Phillipa Challis, a board trustee of the Sandy Lane Charitable Trust, expressed gratitude to supporters for their unwavering generosity over the years, while underscoring that the work remains ongoing.

“The reality is, everything that [we] do with the trust, every single phone call that we get is from families, and we all forget that children don’t put themselves in these situations. You have a family of 11 children, and it’s not their choice to be child number 11, [or] not have food on the table. It’s not their choice to go hungry or with an empty belly to school. That is why [we] say it’s not about us, it’s about the children.

“If you take nothing else from this room today, encourage everybody…please keep giving. Please talk to people about increasing. Our economy is booming, yes great, but there are still people without. There are still children who are going hungry,” she said.

The Fun Run has been seen as an important event in continuing the legacy of Dame Olga, the first patron of the event. The beloved “Auntie Olga”, host of Children’s Party and Pageant of Youth on Barbados Rediffusion throughout the second half of the last century, was also the creator of the Needy Children’s Fund, which still provides much-needed support for over 250 children across the island. She died in February 2011 at age 92.

Money collected during the Fun Run initiative goes to school supplies and other essential items for children in need.

Ryan Jones, Chief Barker of Variety – The Children’s Charity of Barbados, echoed Challis’ sentiments, insisting that there remained an immense need being faced by some families, particularly those with multiple children.

“The need is great out there; the cases that we see, there are families with 8-11 kids and even though you know sometimes it’s the parents, you have to do it for the kids because the kids did not put themselves in that situation. $200, $300 goes a long way to these kids out there,” he said.

He added: “The Auntie Olga Memorial Programme run by Variety is in memory of Auntie Olga and every year we help hundreds of kids, particularly in their school preparation. This is helping them to get uniforms, to get food, to get supplies to be able to go to school [and] give them an equal opportunity for a brighter future. It’s only possible because of the generous donations from the Chefette Fun Run.”

Antonia Medford, senior marketing and social media coordinator at the Chefette Group of Companies called on participants to embrace the spirit of giving.

“Whether you’ve joined us since inception or new this year, your steps on June 8 will fuel the dream and communicate the spirit of the Fun Run 2025. As we prepare for the fun run, let’s carry Auntie Olga’s mission forward. Compassion in action,” he said.

The June 8 Fun Run will start from Chefette Rockley and end at the restaurant’s Fontabelle headquarters. (SB)