Jamaica Red Cross hopes to raise funds in annual Lapathon

The Jamaica Red Cross will host its annual Lapathon on Saturday December 8 at the Emancipation Park, New Kingston.

This exciting activity will begin at 6 a.m. and continue until midday. As the organization seeks to raise over Jam$3,000,000 to help fulfil its mission of improving the lives of the most vulnerable, we will also offer a day in which healthy lifestyle will be promoted.

Popular “Jam Fit” Instructor Karelle Ashley will be on hand to share fitness tips in an early morning fitness session and individuals and teams from various organizations will be doing laps around the park.  

Jamaica Red Cross health promoters and health educators will conduct demonstrations, have one on one interaction and will distribute educational materials on topics such as sexual and reproductive health, HIV prevention, stress management and First Aid techniques.

Our major sponsors for the event include Burger King, Petcom, National Commercial Bank and Power Graphics Studio. Sponsors and partners will host booths with their products and will offer samples and tastings. There will also be lots of surprises and giveaways.

There is no charge for admission and there will be an opportunity for people to make donations to Red Cross programmes which include Disaster Preparedness and Response, Health & Care and Youth Development. For a contribution of Jam$1000, persons may enter the competitive lap events and get a chance to win attractive prizes.

The Jamaica Red Cross invites the public and corporate Jamaica to come out, bring your friends and family and support humanity while promoting healthy lifestyle.  

In addition to the Lapathon at Emancipation Park, several branches of the Jamaica Red Cross island wide will embark on events in their parishes on the same day.

Manchester Branch will meet at the branch office and then march through the town, stop at Manchester High School to do laps and then march back to branch site. 

The Kingston & St. Andrew Branch will have their fundraiser at Rib Cage, Braemar Ave. Kingston where they will have celebrities being the waiters for the night. These ‘celebrity waiters’ will sensitize persons to Red Cross and its work and whatever tips they receive will be donated to Jamaica Red Cross.

The St. Ann, St. Mary and Trelawny Branches will do a zone march.  All three branches will meet at the St. Ann’s Branch site at 19 Church Crescent, St. Ann’s Bay then march towards St. Ann’s Bay Town.  At approximately 11:00 the branches will reconvene at Mammee Bay. The final stop will be at Turtle River Park in Ocho Rios. 

Portland Branch will meet at Folly Oval at Port Antonio and will walk towards the town.  They will congregate at playfield Folly Oval where there will be items on display and Red Cross volunteers will be on hand to sensitize persons about the Red Cross. 

The Westmoreland, St. James and Hanover Branches will also do a zone march.  All three branches will meet at the Independence square in Westmoreland. There will be items on display and Red Cross volunteers will be on hand to sensitize persons about the Red Cross. 

The St. Elizabeth Branch will meet at the Esso Gas Station then march through the town of Santa Cruz, onward to St. Elizabeth Technical High School to do laps then back to the branch office.