WESTERN BUREAU:

A group of friends has embarked on a fund-raising event in Montego Bay, St James, dubbed 'Santa Ride', as part of efforts to raise money for the Salvation Army's Christmas kettle.

According to one of the event's organisers, Noel Whyte, the event will see some 25 cyclists participating in the ride, which will begin at the Fairview Shopping Centre in Montego Bay on Saturday. It will move on to Sandy Bay in Hanover and back to Montego Bay.

"This is a core group of recreational cyclists who ride each Saturday and we decided to extend this recreation as a creative way to raise funds for the Salvation Army's Christmas Kettle," he explained.

To raise funds, each cyclist will be responsible for garnering sponsorship within his/her social network in order to avoid competing for corporate sponsorship that also contributes to the Salvation Army at this time of the year.

Goodwill

"There is a lot of goodwill out there and persons need to be given the opportunity to impart goodwill, so we are just encouraging the spirit of giving for a deserving cause," said Whyte, who is also a member of the Salvation Army's Advisory Board. "All of the proceeds will go towards the Salvation Army and its Christmas Kettle."

This is the inaugural staging of 'Santa Ride' and the members of the advisory board hope the success from this year's staging will make it an annual event.

The Salvation Army in Montego Bay has operated a Christmas kettle programme since the early 1960s. Last year, the non-profit organisation successfully raised more than $900,000 that was used to distribute more than 650 hampers containing basic food items to families across St James and sections of Hanover.

This year, the Salvation Army plans on increasing the number of hampers distributed by 20 per cent in response to rising prices on basic commodities. In addition, a dinner for 100 individuals, distribution to the hospital and a children's home, form part of the organisation's plans for the Yuletide season.

sheena.gayle@gleanerjm.com