Five runners who work for various hotels in Grand Cayman will be taking part in the upcoming New York City Marathon to raise funds for Stay-Focused, a charity that brings young people with disabilities to Cayman to learn to dive.
Lyndon Waite Jr. from The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman; Luis Guillen and Rey Quinto III from The Grand Cayman Marriott Resort; and Richard Clarke and Matthew Forbes from The Westin Grand Cayman will race through the five boroughs of New York with thousands of other runners on 5 Nov.
Over the years, the five have gotten to know the charity, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, as the hotels they work for support Stay-Focused by supplying free accommodation and meals to the young divers.
Dart has donated US$20,000 – $4,000 to each of the five local runners – to kick-start the fundraising for Team Stay-Focused as they journey to the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon.
Stay-Focused is one of the official charity partners of the NYC Marathon.
Quinto, who ran his first half-marathon in December last year, said in the release, “I am honoured to be a member of team Stay-Focused and I am so excited to not only run a marathon in support of such a great cause, but for my first ever marathon to be the iconic New York City race.”
He added, “Helping these kids see the beauty of the ocean in a different perspective that many didn’t think was possible is giving me such a sense of purpose as I train.”
For Guillen, it’s also his first marathon.
In a message on the Stay-Focused fundraising page, he said, “This will be my first ever marathon, and I am so excited to participate and represent an organization that will both transform the lives of these children and also allow them to experience the beautiful Cayman Islands.”
In addition to bringing international participants to Cayman each summer, Stay-Focused selects Caymanian interns to assist the organisation and complete the same PADI Scuba Diver course as the visitors. This year’s interns were John Gray High School students Carol-Ann Campbell, Tareek Ricketts and Jason Ricketts.
Roger Muller, founder and president of Stay-Focused, says he is always impressed by the amount of support shown for the charity in the Cayman Islands.
“We absolutely love Cayman. In 20 years, we never went anywhere else,” he said during the group’s latest visit to the island.
He added that he appreciated the efforts of the local runners, who will join five other Stay-Focused Team participants on 5 Nov., and the support from Dart.
“Dart has been a long-time supporter of Stay-Focused, and we congratulate them on their 20th anniversary. They have introduced 153 young people to the beauty of Cayman’s people above the water and the wonders of free floating and exploring the world below it,” said Dominic Ross, Dart asset and community portfolio manager, in the press release.
“Each year, it’s been rewarding to see the community and especially the hospitality industry come together in support of the programme. We hope everyone can help Lyndon, Luis, Rey, Richard and Matthew reach their fundraising goals as their represent our islands and cheer them on as they cross the finish line in honor of Stay-Focused.”
Each runner has set a fundraising target of US$7,500, which they’re raising through individual initiatives, such as car washes and donations from colleagues, businesses, friends and family.
To find out more or to donate, click here or email [email protected].
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