A group of 30 UK participants has successfully completed the Sandals Foundation’s fourth annual Island Challenge, raising over £100,000 for children’s healthcare in the Caribbean.

The four-day fundraising adventure, which took place from 2 – 5 October 2026, started with a 10km run followed by an hour-long kayak and culminated in scaling Dunn's River Falls. Over subsequent days, participants endured an 8km trek through the Jamaican rainforest, a gruelling, hilly half-marathon, a hike up the Blue Mountains, and an intense military endurance test led by the Jamaica Defence Force. The group helped conservation efforts on the island by planting trees at and participating in a Reading Road Trip at a local primary school, where they met children whose families will benefit from the money raised by the initiative.

Karl Thompson, Managing Director at Unique Vacations UK Ltd. and Island Challenge founder, said: "A huge thanks to everyone who made this possible. We came as a team, and we'll leave as a team, representing every individual and travel partner who believes in the mission and the cause."

The Falmouth Public General Hospital, having lost its roof during Hurricane Melissa in October 2025, will receive critical neonatal and paediatric equipment, including incubators and beds to serve Jamaica’s youngest and most vulnerable. Heidi Clarke, Executive Director, Sandals Foundation, said: “It’s all about providing lifesaving equipment to our hospital and equipping our heroes – the doctors and nurses who work hard every day to save lives and to give our children a healthy start."

Since its launch, the Island Challenge has raised more than £400,000 for paediatric and neonatal healthcare projects throughout the Caribbean, benefiting hundreds of children and newborns each year. Sponsor of the 2026 Island Challenge includes partners Sandals Resorts, British Airways, Island Routes Adventure Tours and the Jamaica Tourism Board, Hearst, Mail Metro Media, Accord Marketing, Hays Travel, CC Hospitality Group, RedPill, InPrint, Piqniq, Mobile Media, and TripAdvisor.