RBC to stage inaugural Race for the Kids

Race for the Kids builds on the bank’s annual 5K and 15K Race for Hope, which it has hosted for the past five years and which has raised over $150,000 in the fight against children’s cancer.

“This year we have re-branded the race in keeping with our parent company initiative entitled Race for the Kids,” explains Hazel-Ann Marshall, Marketing Manager, RBC Royal Bank Trinidad and Tobago. “The RBC Race for the Kids is an exciting series of global charitable runs supporting children’s causes that began in 2008, with the first event in New York City,” she added.

The Trinidad and Tobago race will support the RBC Caribbean Children’s Cancer Fund, and is the latest addition to the global RBC’s charitable runs supporting children’s causes in Toronto, New York, Chicago, Minneapolis, London, Hong Kong, and Sydney.

RBC Race for the Kids includes 5K and 15K events starting opposite QRC (Queens’ Royal College) around the Queen’s Park Savannah. The race is also a platform to encourage employee engagement, and the event is a family-friendly day involving physical activity. While the 5K is treated as a fun walk/run event, with children and family members and first-timers in mind, the 15K challenges runners to push themselves to set personal bests and prepare for more competitive races. This year there will also be a Kids Zone set up at the Savannah to offer more family fun after the races.

“Team RBC is excited about this event, not only are they preparing for the race, but also branches and units are independently raising funds to contribute to the fund,” said an enthusiastic Darryl White, Managing Director, RBC Royal Bank Trinidad and Tobago.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to be a part of an exciting physical challenge, while raising funds for a noteworthy cause across the Caribbean.” The RBC Caribbean Children’s Cancer Fund was established to assist children across the Caribbean, who are 16 years and under and have been diagnosed with cancer, by providing them with the necessary care and treatment they need to fight this dreaded disease. To date, the RBC Caribbean Children’s Cancer fund has assisted 45 children for treatment and more than 100 children for pathology testing.

“RBC Race for the Kids gives life to our purpose to help clients thrive and communities prosper,” White explained. “I don’t think there is a more meaningful way to do that than by demonstrating in a tangible manner our personal concern for our children who have to live with cancer. It is also a clear indication of the positive influences that sport can make in our lives.” At RBC Chaguanas on Tuesday, branch manager Nigel Caesar made a special appeal to clients and members of the public to lend their support to the cause.

“I know that the people of central Trinidad are caring and generous and I am sure they register in their numbers to help our kids,” Caesar said.

Registration for the race is still open and booths have been set up at five convenient locations at RBC Royal Bank’s network centres throughout Trinidad and Tobago.

They are RBC head office in St Clair (opposite QRC), Carlton Centre (San Fernando), Chaguanas, Trincity and Scarborough (Tobago). Members of the public can register from 10 am to 1 pm, and from 2-4 pm, with debit or credit cards or cash.

Collection of race bibs takes place at the various centres from September 26-29. No registration will be done on race day.