The organisers of the UWI-RBC Run For The Kids are hoping for bigger participation in this year’s eighth staging of the charity event.
The 5K run/walk, being held on Sunday, April 14, is an initiative by the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) in collaboration with the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill campus that supports youth development programmes and youth mental health.
During the launch at the university on Wednesday, Managing Director of RBC Royal Bank (Barbados) Shimon McIntosh said the activity was about creating opportunities for youth and opening doors for their future.
Last year, RBC donated $120 000 and it hopes to as much as double that this time around.
McIntosh added that over the years, the bank has awarded 69 scholarships in disciplines such as accounting and finance, management studies and economics.
“We are proud in Barbados to support youth and education, and our valued partnership with the University of the West Indies and the Cave Hill campus allows us to do that as well as secure the future development of Barbados for students and their families,” he said.
“A university degree is a solid foundation on which to build a rewarding life and career, and as a nation, universities are supplying the talent pipeline that is driving economic growth. Given the importance of a university education, we are pleased that through collaborative efforts with the UWI, RBC is providing support to university students in two key areas – the first one being affordability, the second one being better health . . . ,” he said.
As it relates to better health, McIntosh said that the proceeds from the fun run/walk were also contributing to the First Year Experience Programme, an initiative at UWI to help students transition into the university. He added that some of the funds will be used to develop a well-being app to further support the students as well.
During his remarks, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus Professor R. Clive Landis said Race For The Kids was an anticipated event among the UWI staff and it got competitive at times.
He said that about 2 000 students took part in the run/walk in 2023 and he hoped that 3 000 more would register this year.
The run/walk begins at the Cave Hill campus and moves onto the Gordon Cummins Highway making a left onto Wanstead Terrace, and passing the National Cultural Foundation and West Terrace Primary School. Participants will then make a U-turn and go back to the university via the same route.
(SZB)
