media_artricles :: 2017

C Race for the Kids raises $500k

More than $500,000 has ben raised by RBC Royal Bank as part of the 2017 edition of the RBC Race for the Kids. RBC's Managing Director, Darryl White, made the announcement on Sunday following the completion of the 2017 edition of the race which started outside the Bank's head office in St Clair and ended at Queen's Royal College.

All proceeds from the staging of the 5K and 15K races go towards the RBC Caribbean Children's Cancer Fund that supports children with different forms of cancer.

Thanking the more than 2,400 race participants, along with corporate sponsors and supporters who "made the morning very special", White told the crowd gathered at Queen's Royal College grounds for the distribution of prizes that they should be "very proud for coming together and making a significant contribution to a worthy cause".

With respect to the races, Tonya Nero repeated as champion in the female category of the competitive 15K run, emerging as a comfortable winner in a time of 52 minutes and 19 seconds. Nero crossed the finish line close on the heels of winner in the male division, Guyanese Kelvin Johnson, who clocked 51 minutes and 41 seconds. 

"I was confident of doing well since I have been on the race circuit in the US. I am always happy to run in this event since it raises funds to help our children," said the veteran runner. For Johnson, who is attached to the TT Road Runners Club, victory was sweet since he placed among the top five last year.

With the 5K Walk/Run attracting leisure participants from schools, corporate organisations, community and religious groups, Colin Brumant emerged as winner of the male category in a time of 17 minutes and eight seconds, while April Francis clocked 21 minutes and 20 seconds to capture the female crown.

The RBC Race for the Kids assists Caribbean youths – 16 years and under – that have been diagnosed with cancer, by providing them with the necessary care and treatment they need to fight the dreaded disease. The Trinidad and Tobago edition, which supports the RBC Caribbean Children's Cancer Fund, joined the worldwide RBC charitable runs in 2016, replacing its annual Race for Hope. Some $240,000 was raised last year which helped more than 100 children in the diagnosis and treatment of various forms of cancer.

The bank achieved the $500,000 through registration, the purchase of t-shirts and other items, corporate contributions, and fund-raising activities by RBC employees. "We are very grateful for the generosity of our employees, clients, corporate sponsors and members of the public who willingly made donations to this cause," White said.

Earlier this year, RBC supported the Eric Williams Medical Complex in the purchase and installation of a cytometer valued at $2 million. This machine can more accurately diagnose children with leukaemia at an early stage, thereby giving them a greater chance of survival.

Among the major corporate sponsors for RBC Race for the Kids 2017 were Blue Waters, Hadco, SM Jaleel, Rituals, Bermudez, Nestle, Gatorade and Rotoplastics.

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