Inaugural Scotiabank 'Kiddy’ Parade on today

Kiddy Cricketers will take the lead as hundreds of children march through Liguanea for the Inaugural Scotiabank National Children's Day Parade today.

The march, scheduled to commence from the parking lot of the Sts Peter and Paul Prep School, will see approximately 500 students from more than 40 primary and prep schools, make their way through Matilda's Corner to the Scotia Link, just behind the Scotiabank Liguanea branch.

The Kiddy Cricketers have been pulled from a number of the schools to represent the importance of sports in developing well-rounded youth.

The theme of love will be emblazoned on varied banners and signs, including some developed by the schools, who will display their own creative interpretations during the march. These banners will be interspersed with a number of other signs sharing reasons the children deserve to be loved.

The march is organised in collaboration with the National Child Month Committee, which will be on hand to give out tokens, words of encouragement, and make the children feel special on the day.

The parade will begin at 11 a.m. and children will make the short walk, along with stilt walkers, drummers and marching bands, to the Scotia Link where they will hear messages from the Bank, and the Child Development Agency before concluding with a mini concert, the items of which will be provided by the children themselves.

"We invite everyone in the vicinity to come out and see this event," said Yanique Forbes Patrick, vice-president marketing at Scotiabank.

"We think it is an important and timely reminder of our role in raising and protecting our children."

National Child Day, celebrated annually on the third Friday of May, is a day dedicated to promoting rights of children and youth.

The Inaugural Scotiabank National Children's Day parade is one of a number of activities that Scotiabank has organised in recognition of Child Month. Other activities include the launch of a tree planting programme that will see 242 primary schools receiving ornamental trees for planting at their institutions, and students in more than 40 schools across the island benefiting from Scotia Volunteers sharing on bullying during the Read Across Jamaica Day and Teachers' Day activities.