The paediatric and neonatal unit at the Falmouth Public General Hospital is set for a new beginning with the successful completion of the Sandals Foundation Island Challenge.

The trailblazing four-day endurance experience brought together some 30 UK and 16 local participants to run, hike and paddle through some of Jamaica's most iconic locations. On Monday, October 5, the team celebrated their success at Clifton Mount within the Blue Mountain range, having raised the targeted £100,000.

The four-day experience saw participants completing a 10km run from St. Mary to St. Ann, a 5km kayak through the White River Fish Sanctuary, climbing the Dunn's River Falls, and enduring a 3hour trek and tree planting activity in the Bogue 2 Forest Reserve. On Day 3 they completed a 21km half marathon from Falmouth to Chukka Good Hope, and on Day 4 - hiked through the lush Blue Mountain Range, experiencing the glowing Caribbean sun and rugged terrain in a different way.

Executive Director at the Sandals Foundation, Heidi Clarke, said the event provided a unique opportunity to showcase Jamaica's beauty and culture. She commended the challengers for completing what was not an easy feat.

"This has been a unique opportunity to showcase Jamaica and connect visitors – to its beauty, culture, food and communities. I am incredibly proud of what we were able to achieve. Our challengers were committed to pushing their bodies to the limit all for an incredible cause.

“For us,” Clarke continued, “It’s all about providing lifesaving equipment to our hospital and equipping our heroes – the doctors and nurses who work hard every day to save lives and to give our children a healthy start."

Equal to the resilience of the participants, Karl Thompson, Managing Director at Unique Vacations (UK) Ltd. says the success of the Island Challenge is because of the local and international partners.

"A huge thanks to everyone who made this possible. We came as a team, and we'll leave as a team, representing every individual, corporate, and travel partner who believes in the mission and the cause."

The Falmouth Public General Hospital, having lost its roof during Hurricane Melissa in October 2025, will receive critical neonatal and paediatric equipment including incubators and beds to serve our island's youngest and most vulnerable.

Next year, the philanthropic organisation will take the fundraising event to a new island, continuing its mission to strengthen paediatric and neonatal healthcare services across the Caribbean.

Island Challenge Jamaica 2026 is made possible through the kind support of a host of local and international partners including Sandals Resorts International, Island Routes, Jamaica Tourist Board, British Airways, Chukka Caribbean Adventures, Mystic Mountain, Digicel, The Best Dressed Chicken, Wisynco, CPJ, Rainforest Foundation, Digicel, Jamaica Observer, Tour Jamaica Destinations Management Co. Ltd., Oxford Trading Ja Ltd., Trekkers Adventures Jamaica, the Jamaica Defence Force, Urban Development Corporation, the Forestry Department of Jamaica, the Western Regional Health Authority, the National Solid Waste Management Authority, CIBC, and A.L. Golaub & Sons all on board to create this unforgettable experience.