Participation reached an all-time high for the 2026 Addison Kelly Butterfly 5K Walk/Run, a turnout that Rhonda Kelly, Addison’s mom, described as “overwhelming”.
The event, held at Camana Bay on Saturday, 7 Feb. with a kick-off time of 6:30am, saw 2,112 registrations, marking a significant 25% increase over the previous year.
This consistent growth marks a record-breaking fourth year for the walk/run and highlights a community increasingly committed to the event’s mission of suicide prevention and mental health awareness.
The morning was also defined by deep reflection, centered around the memorial wall featuring 30 hand-crafted tiles painted by Caymanian artist Kara Julian honouring loved ones lost to suicide.
As hundreds of participants crossed the finish line to collect their medals, the proceeds generated continue to fuel the Addison Kelly Mental Health Education Fund.
These funds remain vital in supporting scholarships and training through the Alex Panton Foundation, ensuring that Addison’s legacy continues to provide tangible resources.
Mental health first aid
The Addison Kelly Mental Health Education Fund has expanded its mission beyond scholarships to include broader mental health initiatives.
A cornerstone of this expansion is the Mental Health First Aid training, an internationally recognised programme designed to help individuals identify and respond to mental health challenges much like CPR addresses physical emergencies.
In 2024, the fund successfully trained 90 community members – including teachers and first responders – through a curriculum of in-person classes and online modules.
Significant progress was made toward localising these efforts between 2024 and 2025.
Following an application to Mental Health First Aid International, the Cayman Islands reached a major milestone in May 2025 by completing a Mentoring Week led by international experts.
This event trained 14 local participants and laid the groundwork for Cayman to become a licensed Mental Health First Aid provider.
By securing this accreditation, the Addison Kelly Mental Health Education Fund and the Alex Panton Foundation are now preparing for a full-scale rollout of a localised curriculum.
Kelly said, “We’re launching mental health first aid in the coming months which is super exciting because we’re going to create a society that is mental health literate which is going to be a game changer for our country.”
This programme will be specifically tailored to the cultural context and data of the Cayman Islands, utilising local voices and lived experiences to destigmatise mental health and foster a more compassionate community.
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