Following the success of the Island Run - Antigua 2023, which raised over £100,000 for children’s health facilities in the Caribbean, a team from Unique Vacations UK Ltd, an affiliate of the worldwide sales and marketing representatives for Sandals Resorts, are set to replicate their ambitious fundraising challenge this October.
The team will be enduring a gruelling 50-mile Island Challenge in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. This will include a half marathon on the Saint Vincent mainland, several 15 kilometre runs, 22 kilometres of sea kayaking, and an all-day hike to the summit of the country’s active volcano, La Soufrière, all in hot and humid weather conditions.
Aiming to raise another £100,000 for beneficiaries of The Sandals Foundation, Sandals Resorts International's non-profit organisation, the team will take on the Island Challenge – Saint Vincent 2024 over four days. The money raised will help to improve children’s health across the Caribbean.
The Route
DAY ONE (Friday 11th October) – 15km run and 11km sea kayak in Bequia
DAY TWO (Saturday 12th October) – 15km run and 11km sea kayaking, Saint Vincent (West coast, finishing at Sandals Saint Vincent mainland)
DAY THREE (Sunday 13th October) – 21km (half marathon) on Saint Vincent mainland
DAY FOUR (Monday 14th October) – Full day Volcano hike on Saint Vincent mainland
OUR PARTNERS
We have a team of runners from our businesses, as well as runners from our media and travel partners including:
Why are we doing it?
Aiming to raise another £100,000 for beneficiaries of The Sandals Foundation, this year’s event will provide vital funding for paediatric healthcare services including the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital in Saint Vincent
The Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) is the main healthcare facility serving the entire population of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The 215-bed hospital offers diagnosis and interventions from medical and surgical specialties and provides 24-hour emergency service. The Paediatric Department at MCMH manages neonates and children up to 15 years old, on an inpatient and outpatient basis. Annually, there are approximately 600-700 children admitted to the paediatric ward, 140 babies to the NICU and approximately just over 1,000 admitted to the maternity ward. The Sandals Foundation seeks to improve the outcomes of these young patients. Funds raised from the Island Challenge - Saint Vincent 2024 will be used to purchase equipment that will improve care for premature infants, in particular, those under 28-weeks’ gestation, who are at the highest risk
Staying true to the Island Challenge series, a portion of the funds raised will support community healthcare facilities in the Southern Grenadine Islands following Hurricane Beryl.
How can you help?
For more information and to donate to The Sandals Foundation Island Challenge - Saint Vincent 2024 please visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/islandchallenge2024.
Your support means so much to us!
For more information about the Sandals Foundation and the important projects the charity supports each year, please visit www.sandalsfoundation.org.