Health Minister Endorses 5k Run by Guardian Group Foundation
By: , September 23, 2016The Key Point:
Photo: Melroy Sterling
Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton (second right) and Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange (third right), display T-shirts to be worn in the annual Guardian Group Foundation ‘Keep It Alive’ 5K Night Run, which was launched on September 21 at the Guardian Life corporate offices in Kingston. Others (from left) are Member of Parliament (MP) for South Eastern St. Andrew, Julian Robinson; Recording Artiste, Anthony Moses Davis ‘Beenie Man’; Member of Parliament for North West St. James, Dr. Horace Chang; and President of Guardian General Insurance Jamaica Limited, Karen Bhoorasingh. The run will be a double event to be held in New Kingston on November 5 and again in Fairview, Montego Bay on November 12, starting at 7:00 p.m.The Facts
- We want to express our appreciation to Guardian Life for the efforts they have put into this annual event, because it benefits public health and public health administration in Jamaica,” the Minister said.
- President of Guardian Life Limited, Eric Hosin, said this year’s activity aims to raise $20 million.
The Full Story
Health Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, has endorsed this year’s Guardian Group Foundation’s ‘Keep It Alive’ 5K Night Run, noting that it is in keeping with efforts to promote the health benefits of exercise.
“We want to express our appreciation to Guardian Life for the efforts they have put into this annual event, because it benefits public health and public health administration in Jamaica,” the Minister said.
He was speaking at the launch of the Guardian Group Foundation ‘Keep It Alive’ 5K Night Run on September 21, at the Guardian Life Corporate offices in Kingston.
The run will be held in New Kingston on November 5 and again in Fairview, Montego Bay on November 12, starting at 7:00 p.m.
Dr. Tufton commended the company for staging the event, which he said provides a much-needed boost to the healthcare system.
“The healthcare budget in Jamaica is about 50 per cent of what it should be based on the size of the population and the demands on the system. It is practically impossible to provide for all the needs placed on the system,” he noted.
The Guardian Group ‘Keep It Alive’ 5K Night Run is an annual corporate charity event that raises funds for the provision of medical equipment and other assistance to the health sector.
Beneficiaries of the 2016 5K run are the University Hospital of the West Indies, and the Mandeville Regional, Cornwall Regional, and St. Ann’s Bay hospitals.
Individuals, groups, running clubs, service groups, university/college students and high-school students will take part in the event.
President of Guardian Life Limited, Eric Hosin, said this year’s activity aims to raise $20 million.
“We have been able to buy much-needed equipment which have certainly saved lives. ‘Keep It Alive to Save Lives’ is our tagline,” he noted.
Also speaking at the ceremony were Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange; Member of Parliament for North West St. James, Dr. Horace Chang; and South Eastern St. Andrew Member of Parliament, Julian Robinson.
Sponsors of the 5K run include the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC), St. James Parish Council, National Commercial Bank (NCB) and the Kiwanis, Rotary, Optimist and Lions clubs.
Since 2014, the Guardian Group Foundation ‘Keep It Alive’ 5K has raised an estimated $22 million.
For registration and other information, persons can visit: www.keepitalive5k.com.