Assault survivor Oddy Grullon has donated $25,263 to the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre which she raised last year through her four-marathon challenge.
Grullon, an avid marathon runner, personally delivered the funds to the centre last week at a brief ceremony.
It was a milestone moment, Grullon said in an emailed statement to the Cayman Compass.
“When I created this challenge to raise awareness and funds for the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre I never [expected] that it would be impossible, but I never thought it would be so successful. I am falling short of words to thank all the sponsors, the donations and support that I received from many wonderful people and from the Cayman community,” she said.
Last year, Grullon was attacked while running on South Sound Road. She suffered a fracture to her leg and other injuries from the incident. Her attacker pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm and was jailed for 25 months, with the court recommending deportation after he serves his sentence.
As a form of therapy, Grullon began a four-marathon challenge to raise funds for the centre, which supports abuse survivors.
“I ran each marathon with my heart, thinking of all those women, runners or not, who have gone through the same or a similar experience to mine. I wanted to be an example of strength, to inspire others to overcome their own challenges,” she said.
Ania Milanowska, executive director of the Crisis Centre, lauded Grullon’s efforts.
“Strength, endurance, bravery, and resolve. These four words Oddy chose for the T-shirt she designed and indeed, when completing the four marathons, she demonstrated power, resilience, and determination,” Milanowska said in an email to the Compass.
“Oddy is a true inspiration not only to our clients, but to all of us. The money she has raised for CICC will go towards our Emergency Shelter and the safety of our clients,” she said.
Milanowska said the centre is very grateful to Grullon for her “wonderful gift”, especially since this year “we are marking 20 years of providing safe haven to victims of domestic abuse in the Cayman Islands”.
Grullon said it was rewarding to raise the funds and complete the marathons.
“Having turned something bad and dark into something good and bright to help other women through the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre fills me with great emotion and satisfaction,” she said, adding she was grateful to God for giving her the strength to run each of the marathons healthy and injury-free.
She was “fulfilled, grateful, excited and happy as I crossed that finish line on every one of them”, she said.
In addition to wrapping up her four-event challenge with the Walkers Cayman Islands Marathon on 4 Dec., Grullon completed the REVEL Utah, Chicago and New York marathons.
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