The group of eight staff will tackle back-to-back half marathons from 11-14 October fundraising for the Sandals Foundation’s Island Run.
All donations will go to the SickKids Caribbean Initiative and the paediatric unit of Mount St John’s Medical Centre in Antigua to help fund medical equipment and resources to treat ill children in the region.
The Island Run challenge sees each daily section split roughly into 25km, more than 15 miles, covering different parts of the island and featuring a number of well-known Antiguan locations such as Dickenson Bay, Jolly Harbour, Nelson’s Dockyard and the Sir Viv Richards’ Cricket Stadium.
Staff will also visit projects supported by the Sandals Foundation at the end of each day to see first-hand the difference the money raised is making to children and their families.
Once the team has completed the final leg of the challenge, there will be a beach party celebration held at Sandals Grande Antigua.
TTG Media is trade media partner of the event, while other supporters include Hays Travel, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, The Daily Mail and Good Housekeeping.
Projects funded by the Sandals Foundation are thought to have touched the lives of more than 1.1 million people in the Caribbean since the charity was established in 2009, with over $79 million raised in support of projects.
Money raised from the Island Run in Antigua will help the SickKids Caribbean Initiative, fighting to improve the lives of children diagnosed with paediatric cancer and blood disorders.
Its collaboration with the Sandals Foundation has helped establish the Eastern Caribbean’s only oncology unit, as well as the development of seven telemedicine facilities in six countries.
The partnership has also helped fund the training of five Caribbean paediatricians and 41 nurses in haematology and oncology, as well as data collection of children with sickle cell disease and cancer.
Karl Thompson, managing director of Unique Vacations UK, said: “The Sandals Foundation Island Run – Antigua 2023 was born out of a brainstorm over a few drinks. We wanted to come up with a physical challenge to help sick children in the Caribbean and support the vital work carried out by the Sandals Foundation.
“Our goal is to raise £100,000 but we actually hope to smash that, thanks to the support of our sponsors and partners. What better place to push ourselves and raise money for Caribbean communities than on the beautiful island of Antigua?”
For more information about The Sandals Foundation Island Run – Antigua 2023 and to donate, visit: justgiving.com/campaign/islandrun, while further details on the work of the Sandals Foundation can be found at sandalsfoundation.org
