NINE charities are now beneficiaries of proceeds from the fifth Digicel Foundation 5K, Walk and Wheelchair Road Race to be held on Saturday, October 22, in downtown Kingston.
Over $8 million was raised and will be presented the selected organisations, namely, Jamaica Autism Support Association, Jamaica Down's Syndrome Foundation, Early Stimulation Plus, Jamaica Association on Intellectual Disabilities, Mustard Seed Communities, Special Olympics Jamaica, Jamaica Paralympic Association, Abilities Foundation and the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf/Deaf Can Coffee.
Long-standing 5K beneficiary, Lorna Bell, executive director of Special Olympics Jamaica, said “the contribution made by Digicel Foundation to us has always been, very welcome. I would personally like to thank them for their continuous assistance to Special Olympics Jamaica They have given us an all-purpose court that we can train on a daily basis, and also bathrooms with changing facilities,” Bell said.
The SOJ boss said she is looking forward once again for Digicel’s contribution, “not only for us, but for the other many organisations who are well in need of some serious help”.
Over 13,000 people turned out to participate in the event, which was held in an effort to raise funds to support Jamaica's special needs community. This year’s 5K was supported by Digicel Ambassadors such as Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Javon Francis and hosted by Miss Kitty with entertainment by Ding Dong, the event was a tremendous success.