Rotarians athletes to raise funds for CCMI
Chris Bailey
(CNS Local Life): Two Cayman Islands athletes, Rotarians Chris Bailey and Derek Haines, are gearing up to raise CI$50,000 for the Central Caribbean Marine Institute’s new virtual live programme. Bailey is competing in the Ironman Florida on 4 November at Panama City Beach. Then, on 3 December Haines, who just turned 69, will be taking part in the Intertrust Cayman Islands Marathon, which will be his third marathon this year, and the 48th in his lifetime.
The programme that the two men have chosen to raise funds for is CCMI’s Reefs Go Live programme. CCMI President Dr Carrie Manfrino explains that it is a virtual live experience that “will directly connect students in the Cayman Islands with the research scientists as they conduct their surveys and experiments on the coral reefs in Little Cayman”.
She said the funds will help the non-profit conservation and research organisation “to purchase all the equipment necessary to launch this innovative learning experience in early 2018 in Cayman’s schools”.
Reefs Go Live will allow for immediate interaction between students in a classroom and the scientists in Little Cayman, where CCMI is based, a release from the organisation stated. Initially it will only be available in the Cayman Islands to students in years five and six but will eventually extend to teachers and students around the world, allowing those who many never see a coral reef otherwise to see it live during Reefs Go Live broadcasts in their classrooms.
“We are exceptionally appreciative of both these men’s efforts to raise money for Reefs Go Live,” Manfrino said. “This is an opportunity for CCMI and the Cayman Islands to bring coral reefs to students across the globe, helping them to understand their role in coral reef conservation, no matter where in the world they are.”
Haines and Bailey are no strangers to fundraising. In 2015 Haines ran six marathons worldwide and raised more than $1 million for Cayman HospiceCare, as well as running other marathons and even climbing mountains for charity
Bailey completed the 640 Run Ride Read challenge in 2014, which raised $30,000 for the Guatemala literacy project and the LIFE foundation in Cayman.
He said, “I believe education is one of the most important investments we can make, so helping to fund an initiative locally that benefits so many of our youth can only be a good thing.”
Anyone who wants to help them reach this $50,000 goal, can send a cheques made payable to Rotary Grand Cayman. Indicate ‘CCMI’ in the memo line.
Category: Community, Environment, Fundraiser, Marine Environment, Running, Sports, Triathlon
