Special Needs support outstanding

http://jamaica-star.com/thestar/20131102/sports/sports8.html

Digicel Foundation 5K Night Run/Walk and Concert, held on Ocean Boulevard, downtown on last Saturday night

With thousands of persons turning up to "shine their light" for special needs, the Digicel Foundation 5K Night Run/Walk was a resounding success with over 7,200 persons registered for the race. This represents a 30 per cent increase from last year's figure.

"It was a truly heart-warming moment to see just how many people came out for the 5K," noted Judine Hunter, programme manager for special needs at the Digicel Foundation.

"The support was outstanding from corporate Jamaica, our partners, the media and the participants. Our sponsors not only contributed to the event, but most of them signed up teams. Even our beneficiaries brought teams, NAZ Children's Centre in MoBay chartered a bus and brought a team of over 50 persons and Genesis Academy in Kingston had a team of 60. I want to thank each and everyone who came out on Saturday. It was your participation that made this event a success," she continued.

Corporate entities
 
Some of the corporate entities supporting the event included Grace Kennedy, Bank of Jamaica, CGM Gallagher Insurance Brokers, Prime Asset Management, GTECH Jamaica, WHICON Limited, Sagicor, Institute of Jamaica, the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation and the Urban Development Corporation. Just under 250 clubs registered for the 5K Walk/Run this year.

Among the celebrities that supported the event were Olympian Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce, Olympian Nesta Carter, Paralympian Alphanso Cunningham and dancehall artiste, Tifa.

Damion Bent and Danielle James came in first for the male and female run categories, respectively. Andre Smith was the first male walker to cross the finish line and Nyasha Heaven was the first female walker to cross the finish line. Jenard Williamson and Collene Morrison, both of the Jamaica Paralympics Association, came in first in their respective wheelchair categories.

RACING TO THE FINISH: These participants of the Digicel Foundation 5K Night Run/Walk seen walking to the finish line last Saturday.