This year’s Deputy Governor’s 5K Challenge aims to raise $50,000 for Cayman Heart Fund to buy a new ambulance.
The funds will be a significant cash boost towards the $150,000 target needed to purchase the vehicle, which will replace one of the two existing back-up ambulances based in Grand Cayman.

Announcing this year’s chosen charity ahead of Valentine’s Day, Deputy Governor Franz Manderson appealed for companies to sponsor the event.

He also urged as many people as possible to help raise funds by taking part in the challenge, which is being held in April.

“It is a fantastic event for a great cause,” he said. “It encourages people to become more fit and healthy, but also will unite us around the common purpose of buying a new ambulance. One step at a time we all make a difference.”

Now in its third year, the annual event brings together civil servants, private sector employees and members of the public in a fitness and fundraising challenge. It is part of the Deputy Governor’s vision to have a healthier, more active and more socially engaged civil service, while benefitting charitable organisations and initiatives in the Cayman Islands.

The inaugural event in 2014 raised $12,500 for Cayman HospiceCare towards its new building that is due to break ground this spring, and last year raised $50,000 for Special Olympics Cayman Islands which helped fund their attendance at the Special Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Mr. Manderson believes that increased awareness and support generated by the Deputy Governor’s 5K Challenge will ensure $50,000 is raised for the ambulance appeal.

“I am urging all civil servants to take part, along with members of the wider community,” he said. “More than 1200 took part last year, but please make this challenge the most successful yet to ensure that the Cayman Heart Fund can buy the ambulance, which will be a vital resource for the Cayman Islands and could potentially benefit each of us.”

Cayman Heart Fund is a charity with a mission to improve the cardiovascular health of the population of the Cayman Islands.

Fundraising for the new ambulance, which will be operated by the Health Services Authority, began last summer and is the biggest initiative ever undertaken by Heart Fund organisers.

“We are delighted that the Deputy Governor’s 5K Challenge has chosen to support us this year in our bid to buy a new ambulance,” said Cayman Heart Fund Chairman David Dinner. “If we receive $50,000, it means that together with the money we’ve already raised, we will be two-thirds towards our $150,000 target. Along with one last push for the rest of the money, it would enable us to have the new ambulance in place for Christmas.”

The two existing spare ambulances, which are ageing and will soon need to be replaced, are used as back-up to the three primary care ambulances. The back-up ambulance, for which Cayman Heart Fund is raising cash, will ensure the emergency fleet has a reliable replacement option during routine maintenance, mechanical failure or in the need of a mass casualty response.

The cash raised by the Deputy Governor’s 5K Challenge is a combination of corporate sponsorship pledges and the registration fees of event participants.

Three of the four gold sponsorship slots for 2016, at $5,000 each, have already been taken up by EY, Butterfield Bank and Appleby Global, which, along with an anonymous donor, were also the main sponsors of last year’s event. There are still opportunities for a handful of silver sponsors and unlimited bronze sponsors to come on board.

In addition there is a prestigious new platinum sponsorship slot available this year for $15,000.

The platinum sponsor will receive pride of place as the top company to endorse the 5K Challenge, granting the business maximum exposure in all advertising and promotion of the event.

The Deputy Governor’s 5K Challenge begins at 6.30am on Sunday, 17th April at Cayman Brac Museum, Stake Bay, and at 6.30am on Sunday, 24th April at the Government Administration Building, Elgin Avenue in Grand Cayman. The event, which participants can either walk or run, is suitable for all ages and levels of fitness.

Registration fees for the event are $25 for ages 14 and older and $10 for 13 and younger. The dates for registration will be announced nearer the time.

Companies interested in sponsoring the Deputy Governor’s 5K Challenge, or anyone interested in making a donation, can contact Fundraising Subcommittee Chairwoman Nancy Barnard at [email protected]

IMAGES: Photo captions (Photos: GIS)
Pic 1 (L-R) 2016 Deputy Governor’s 5K Challenge Co-Chair Jennifer Ahearn, Deputy Governor Hon. Franz Manderson, Cayman Heart Fund Chairman David Dinner
Pic 2 (L-R) Cayman Heart Fund Chairman David Dinner and Deputy Governor Hon. Franz Manderson unveil the 2016 Deputy Governor’s 5K Challenge logo