Hays Travel sponsors Sandals Caribbean fund-raiser for second year

Hays Travel is sponsoring a Sandals Foundation Island Challenge fundraising event in the Caribbean for the second year in succession.

This year’s challenge across Saint Vincent will see participants cover 50 miles of running, sea kayaking and hiking to the summit of the La Soufriere active volcano.

A target of raising £100,0000 has been set for the event on October 11-14, marking the foundation’s15th anniversary.

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Funds will go towards a hospital and other healthcare facilities in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, providing services and equipment for babies and young children living with cancer.

Hays Travel chair Dame Irene Hays said: “After the success of last year’s Sandals Run, we are delighted to return as sponsors for 2024.

“The money raised by this year’s participants will fund emergency paediatric healthcare and make a real difference to people living in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. 

“The Sandals Foundation is an excellent organisation, and we wish all those taking part every success in completing what looks like an exciting set of challenges in a stunning location.”

The agency group’s commercial assistant Katharine Dunwoodie, joined hosts Adam Stewart, Sandals International’s executive chair; Heidi Clarke, the foundation’s executive director; and Karen Zacca, operations director at the foundation, to celebrate the 15th anniversary last month (pictured).

An audience of loyal Sandals Select customers and Unique Vacations UK staff learned about the foundation’s work over the period, while UVUK managing director Karl Thompson called about his experience of co-organising and participating in 2023’s Island Run.

The event concluded with an auction and raffle, which raised £15,000 for this year’s Island Challenge.

Dunwoodie said: “It was an honour to attend the foundation’s ‘Power of 15’ event and hear all about the fantastic work they have put in over the years – not only through healthcare, but also through education and the environment.

“We encourage everyone to donate to the Island Challenge if they can to support Caribbean families and their children.”

Online donations are accepted via the The Sandals Foundation Island Challenge – Saint Vincent 2024 Just Giving page.