A WOKINGHAM man is running 100 kilometres around the Caribbean island of Antigua this morning to raise money for the local children.
Karl Thompson, 55, who is the managing director of travel company - Unique Vacations UK, will be running 25 kilometres per day over four days as part of the inaugural Sandals Foundation Island Run – Antigua 2023.
He is being joined by a small group of colleagues who are aiming to raise £100,000 for two children’s charities supported by the Sandals Foundation.
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They have already reached 75 per cent of their fundraising target, over £75,800.
Money raised from the event will be donated to the SickKids Caribbean Initiative and the Paediatric Unit of Mount St. John's Medical Centre in Antigua via the Sandals Foundation, Sandals Resorts’ philanthropic arm.
It will be used to fund essential medical equipment and resources to help treat sick children and premature babies in Antigua.
Mr Thompson, who came up for the idea for the Island Run with two colleagues over a pint, said: “I only really started running during the Covid pandemic to help keep my mental health in check.
“Now, I regularly run around 20 miles each weekend. Although this is going to be a really tough physical and mental challenge, I think the camaraderie of the team will be amazing.
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“We all share the same goal which is to raise as much money as we can to make a difference to children in desperate need of medical care.
“And what better place to do it than in the Caribbean itself and the beautiful island of Antigua.”
The challenge is split into four 25km races tomorrow (October 11), 12, 13 and 14, totalling 100 kilometres, the equivalent of four back-to-back half marathons.
The route starts and ends at Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa and takes in some of the sights of Antigua including Jolly Harbour, English Harbour, Nelson’s Dockyard and the Sir Vivian Richards’ Cricket Stadium.
The team taking part in the race will also be visiting projects sponsored by the Sandals Foundation at the end of each day, including The Paediatric Unit at Mount St. John's Medical Centre, to see firsthand what a difference the money raised will make to children and their families.
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For more information about The Sandals Foundation Island Run – Antigua 2023, please visit the website at Sandals.co.uk/island-run-2023.
To donate and help support Mr Thompson, please visit his fundraising page at justgiving.com/campaign/islandrun.
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