MBJ’s Charity Run raises $22 million

Western Bureau:

The recently staged fourth annual MBJ Charity Run has proven to be a major success story for the organisers – the operators of the Sangster International Airport, in Montego Bay – as $22 million was raised from the event, which was created to raise funds for education and community development in western Jamaica.

Shane Munroe, chief executive officer of MBJ Airports Limited, in acknowledging that the achievement is a testament to the growing support and commitment from various stakeholders, including corporate sponsors and government officials, emphasised the event’s primary purpose.

“It’s a charity event, a fundraiser focused on education. There’s a lot of need in the community, specifically across western Jamaica, and this event allows us to support students at various academic levels,” Munroe said. “One hundred per cent of these proceeds are going back to the community. We will be providing students with academic scholarships, and we will also be investing in some community development.”

The Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ), which has oversight responsibilities for airports in Jamaica, was the title sponsor for the calendar event, which coincides with its 50th anniversary celebrations.

“This year was even more special because it’s our anniversary. We came onboard not just as participants, but also as title sponsors, as this is one of the ways in which we interact with the wider environment and communities that our airports serve,” said Audley Deidrick, president and CEO of the AAJ.

“I am putting it out there from now that this is a permanent position that we are holding. We know the importance of education in our country, not just for economic development, but we have a scourge of crime, and we believe that education is one of the routes to rescue Jamaica from that scourge,” said Deidrick, in underscoring the AAJ’s long-term commitment to the event.

CORPORATE SPONSORS

Among the corporate sponsors who supported the event was Club MoBay, a long-standing supporter, who brought some 60 team members to participate.

“Our communities need us. We are benefitting from their support, whether as workers or travellers. So, it’s always good to give back, and we need to keep this going,” said Tanya Beckford, CEO of Club MoBay.

First-time sponsor, Elite Concepts and Solutions (ECS), also bought into the vision of supporting a worthy cause, and was quite thrilled to be doing so.

“We always like to support great initiatives, and this is a special one for us. It’s a charity event that supports education and will have wide-reaching impact,” stated Steffan-Chad Haughton, marketing and digital services manager at ECS.

Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon, who participated in the event, said his involvement served three purposes - education, fitness and competition.

“I believe that we should live well and exercise as often as possible and this event allows us to get a good workout,” said Vernon. “It also helps to bridge the gaps that are lacking where public funding is concerned. Many times, we have these public fundings available, but it’s not reaching certain persons and sometimes it’s not enough. So, it’s good when Montego Bay and Corporate Jamaica can come together for events like this.”

More than 2,300 people participated in the Run/Walk event which had 87 sponsors. MBJ will be awarding the grants to 150 students directly and announcing the six community development projects/schools to benefit in a ceremony on November 19.

editorial@gleanerjm.com