Unique Vacations UK is taking on a 50-mile challenge across Saint Vincent and the Grenadines over four days in October, which will include a number of runs varying between 15 and 21 kilometres in distance, sea kayaking and a day-long hike to scale La Soufrière, the country’s active volcano.

The £100,000 fundraising target for the challenge will provide for paediatric healthcare services for Saint Vincent’s Milton Cato Hospital, the facility supporting all the population of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, including equipment to improve care for premature infants. Alongside this, a portion of the funds will be earmarked to support healthcare facilities and the purchase of new medical equipment in the Southern Grenadine Islands after events such as Hurricane Beryl. 

Karl Thompson, managing director of Unique Vacations UK, who along with Graeme Saunders, senior lead manager, group and corporate, is part of the team taking on the challenge, said: “We decided to host the Island Challenge in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to continue the great work we did in 2023 to raise funds for essential med-ical equipment for paediatric facilities in the Caribbean. Sandals Resorts recently opened a new resort in Saint Vincent, and it’s always been part of the brand’s ethos to immerse itself and support the local communities. 

“Following the passing of Hurricane Beryl, we also wanted to use some of the money raised for hurricane relief efforts in the Southern Grenadine islands where some of the healthcare facilities need repairing and new medical equipment as a result.” 

Hays Travel, alongside names including The Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority, Virgin Atlantic, Good Housing, Air Canada Vacations, TripAdvisor Corpay, Mail Metro Media Group, Accord Marketing and TTG Media are sponsoring the 2024 Island Challenge. Funds raised so far have topped £83,000 but donations will be gratefully received via the team’s Just Giving page.

Sandals Foundation executive director Heidi Clarke said: “We were absolutely over the moon with the success of the inaugural Sandals Foundation Island Run – Antigua 2023. The dedication and support from the runners were unmatched, and the effort that the team put into the event, from the planning stages right through to the 100-kilometre run itself, was simply incredible. 

“I can’t wait to see what the team achieves in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines this year and what crazy challenges they come up with next!”