Sandals Island Challenge hits £100,000 fund-raising target

FALMOUTH, Trelawny — The Sandals Foundation Island Challenge Jamaica has reached its £100,000 fund-raising target, paving the way for the purchase of critical equipment to help restore neonatal and paediatric services at Falmouth Public General Hospital nearly one year after Hurricane Melissa devastated the facility. The milestone was reached on Sunday as participants took on day three of the four-day endurance challenge, completing a 21-kilometre half-marathon through Falmouth, with the route taking them past the hospital that has been at the heart of this year’s fund-raising effort. The achievement represents a major boost for the hospital which suffered extensive damage when the record-breaking Hurricane Melissa struck sections of Jamaica as a Category 5 system on October 28, 2025.

Falmouth Public General Hospital lost much of its roofing and, consequently, critical medical equipment, furniture and appliances. Sunday’s half-marathon brought the purpose of the Island Challenge into sharp focus as participants made their way through the historic town. Workers from the hospital gathered outside the facility to cheer on the runners as they passed.

Nurse/midwife Monique McKenzie-Matherson was among those who welcomed the initiative. Head of the paediatric department at Falmouth General Public Hospital Dr Kerri-Ann McKenzie (left) poses with Karen Zacca, director of Operations at Sandals Foundation. (Photos: Bwoy Pedro and Khandie) “I am super excited about this initiative.

We are really in need — the babies at the hospital and the wider community. “Melissa came and she did a number on us, and we are grateful that somebody saw the need and is willing to assist,” she said. Psychiatric nursing aide Shawn Daley shared similar sentiments, stressing the importance of assistance as the hospital continues its recovery.

“It is something I think we should do early. The devastation was very bad so the help is very crucial for the staff, community and the parish,” Daley said. For the hospital’s administration, the £100,000 will allow attention to be placed on replacing the equipment that was lost when the hurricane ripped through the facility.

Falmouth Public General Hospital CEO Carlington McLennon said the extent of the losses went beyond the visible structural damage. MCLENNON… with Sandals Foundation we can now focus on the equipment and appliances “While a lot of pe…