Despite lockdowns and other restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, creative volunteers and committed donors still managed to raise thousands of dollars for cancer care charities and organisations across the region as CIBC FirstCaribbean celebrated the 10th anniversary of Walk for the Cure.
The annual event which normally features specially organized walks in September and October in the 16 territories where the bank operates, took on a different form based on the prevailing health directives in each territory again this year.
The funds generated from walks and “walk events”, staff activities as well as donations from long-standing and some new sponsors took the total funds raised to USD$348,357.70. Topping the fundraising leader board was Cayman Islands which broke all of its previous records to raise USD$125 000, they were followed by The Bahamas on USD$58 000 and Barbados with USD$34 000.This year’s funds take the overall amount raised across the region to just over $3 million in the last 10 years.
A doubly elated Walk Co-Chair and the bank’s Managing Director, Wealth Management Dan Wright who led the fundraising efforts in Cayman, thanked the various walk managers, staff fundraisers and corporate sponsors for their tremendous efforts.
He said the bank’s star charitable activity and the region’s largest cancer fundraising event was again “forced to refashion itself for the times. The prevailing Covid-19 conditions in each territory largely dictated what was done with many virtual events taking the place of actual walks”. However, fellow Co-Chair and Managing Director Retail and Business Banking, Mark St. Hill noted that the challenging conditions truly brought out the creativity of sta+ and sponsors.
“I was truly impressed with the fundraising activities this year, from small walks, virtual events, special 10th anniversary sales, to even a walking dinner in Curacao, to treasure hunts and hikes and the usual bake sales and T-shirt sales,” St. Hill said.
In Trinidad, the Walk for the Cure team focused on food fundraisers and special t-shirt sales. The proceeds from which were recently presented to the Cancer Society of Trinidad and Tobago. “The effort made to ensure fundraising took place despite the Covid 19 restrictions, is an indicator of the Bank’s commitment to better health and wellbeing as we continue to battle against Prostate Cancer in Trinidad and Tobago,” said Managing Director of the Trinidad Operating Company Anthony Seeraj at the cheque handover.
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