Fundraiser supports vocational grant

| 31/03/2019
CNS Local Life
Participants in the walk/run after the event (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

(CNS Local Life): Rotaract Blue recently held its third annual Fred Speirs 5K Walk/Run, with about 50 participants taking part. The charity event raises funds for the Fred Speirs vocational grant, which has been a development initiative of the organisation since 2008. The walk/run, which was held Sunday, 24 March, raised $1,800 to help support students who are learning skills to gain employment.

The runners, walkers, and volunteers were supporting efforts of Rotaract Blue to assist Caymanians between the ages of 16 and 30 who are enrolled or accepted into a local or overseas vocational/technical skills course to excel in a non-traditional career path, stated a press release.

“Events like the Fred Speirs 5K Walk/Run are precisely why I joined Rotaract Blue,” said Brian Ogilvie, event chairperson and professional development director of the service organisation.

“I’m a huge believer in paying it forward and know I wouldn’t have made it far in my career without help, so this fundraiser represents the perfect opportunity to do just that. It was truly my pleasure organising this event and I’m already looking forward to next year.”

The grant was renamed in 2010 to honour the late Frederick Speirs, a devout Rotarian, loving father and husband, a committed educator, and a mentor who was instrumental in the development of the vocational grant, Rotaract Blue said in the release.

Workforce Opportunities Residency Cayman (WORC) supported the event, with Chief Officer Wesley Howell explaining, “As a teacher, Mr Spiers inspired many Caymanian students to aim for the stars.

“The technical and vocational scholarship in his honour helps students gain the skills necessary for them to secure employment, this matches the new WORC Department’s mission of full Caymanian employment and makes the sponsorship an investment in the development of Caymanians.”

Howell congratulated the young members of Rotaract Blue “for giving of their time and energy to organising this excellent project, truly living their motto of being ‘Committed to Making a Positive Difference’.”

For more information about the Fred Speirs 5K Walk/Run or vocational grant, email contact Brian Ogilvie at rbprofessionaldevelopment@gmail.com

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Category: Community, Fundraiser, Local News, Service Organisations

Comments (1)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Zero comments. What a shame. This is the kind of fundraisers I support. Hats off to all participants and organizers. Just sad that noone seems to praise the significance of the event because All eyes on gay marriage issue.