10TH PUMP IT UP! PRESS LAUNCH
Written by Samaica Roberts on March 8, 2018
Co-Op Bank’s Richard Duncan and Antillean Group’s Kennie John sign Memorandum of Understanding. Click on image to enlarge
On Tuesday March 6, 2018 Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited held a press launch at the Coyaba Beach Resort to announce its 10th anniversary of Pump it Up! Family Fun Walk, which will be held in Carriacou on April 8, 2018 and in Grenada on April 22, 2018.
Newly recruited Health Consultant for the event, Mr. Garvin Taylor Jr highlighted the alarming statistics regarding the impact of non-communicable diseases on the lives of Caribbean citizens, and emphasized the need for simple lifestyle adjustments to increase life expectancy. He asked citizens to use the Pump it Up! Family Fun Walk as a way to begin these lifestyle changes and contribute to the better health state of our country.
Mr. Richard Duncan, Managing Director of Co-op Bank reflected on the Bank’s quest to concentrate its charitable efforts on one major sustainable initiative under the Pump it Up! brand, seeking to raise funds toward the re-establishment of the Carlton Home Rehabilitation Center for substance abusers. At a press launch held on March 6, 2017, the Bank announced that it was joining its efforts over the years 2017-2021 with corporate citizens, and entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Jonas Browne & Hubbard (G’da) Ltd, Guardian General Insurance (OECS) Limited, and FLOW.
One year later, Mr. Alan Bierzynski of Hubbards and Mr. Juan Bailey of FLOW spoke of their experiences with the Pump it Up! event and brand over the past year, and reiterated their companies’ commitment to the initiative going forward. As a show of their commitment, each partner presented their 2018 contribution to the fund.
The Bank also welcomed on board Antillean Group as the newest benefactor through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to join in on the efforts toward the initiative. Mr. Kennie John, Managing Director of Antillean Group expressed his enthusiasm being associated with such a worthwhile initiative recognizing the impact of substance abuse on Grenada’s economy. Each initial benefactor reiterated their commitment to the cause, expressing their satisfaction with the association over the previous year.
Under the MOU, the agreement is that all funds collected towards the re-establishment of the Carlton Home shall be placed into a Trust Fund held by Co-op Bank, which has since accumulated $78,353.64.
Since 2009, a different health related charity has benefited from the proceeds of the Pump it Up! Family Fun walk, such as the Grenada Heart Foundation, Grenada Diabetes Association, Grenada Kidney Foundation, Sickle Cell Association of Grenada, Grenada Cancer Society, Pink Ribbon Society and Lupus Foundation of Grenada. As the Bank celebrates its 10th family fun walk, it remains committed to promoting vibrant and physically active lifestyles, encouraging preventative approaches to health issues and making available to the public, information concerning health matters as part of its Healthier Lifestyles Programme.
