DG’s charity race a runaway victory
Maples’ Head of Human Resources Morven Bodden (left centre) receives from Deputy Governor Franz Manderson the trophy for the private company with the highest number of participants.
(CNS): The Deputy Governor’s 5K walk/run set a new record for donations, raising $50,000, more than double the $20,000 goal organisers had set to benefit Special Olympics Cayman Islands (SOCI).
The funds will be used to assist Special Olympians and chaperones in representing the Cayman Islands at the World Games in California in June.
The 5K attracted 1,248 participants, with winners receiving trophies and nearly 100 donated raffle prizes distributed among those taking part.
Deputy Governor Franz Manderson acknowledged the great support the event received. “Huge thanks to everyone who participated in any way in making this event such a success,” he said. “What we ended up raising was way beyond what we expected to collect.
“And I can say, undoubtedly, this would not have happened without the support of all – the public, and the large number of sponsors and volunteers. Our target was $20,000 for the Special Olympics team and we far exceeded our expectations.”
Calling the event an “outstanding success”, SOCI Chairman Nick Freeland said, “SOCI truly appreciates being the beneficiary of the profits from this year’s event, which will take a great deal of pressure off our World Games fundraising team. I would particularly like to thank the DG and Ministry of Health Chief Officer Jennifer Ahearn, who agreed to support us so early on in the planning for this year’s event.”
Freeland also lauded all efforts that have helped raise public awareness for Special Olympics and the athletes, and paid tribute to family members and volunteers.
Deputy Governor Franz Manderson (centre) presents trophy to overall race winner Sean Olsen, as Governor Helen Kilpatrick looks on.
In the run segment, with a time of 17 minutes, 55.8 seconds, Sean Olsen finished first among the men, with Joanna Manzi the top woman and sixth overall, clocking 19:32.7.
The best male runner among civil servants was J.P. (Jacobus) Hanekom of the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority; with an individual time of 19:31.5, he placed fifth overall. Sue Morris of the Cayman Islands Further Education Centre was the top female runner among civil servants, at 27:45.8.
Repeating last year’s achievement, the Immigration Department won for the most civil servants participating in the race, with 39 entrants. The National Archive retained their spot as the government agency with the highest percentage of participants with 100% registering for the event.
This year’s race included three new trophies, with two in the statutory authority/government company category: The Health Services Authority took the prize for the highest number of participants at 49. The Public Service Pensions Board was recognised for the highest percentage of participants at 100%. Maples took the corporate cup for the private sector company registering the greatest number of entrants at 59.
Category: Civil Service, Running
