The Sandals Foundation is set to host the Island Challenge Jamaica, a premier paediatric fundraising event, from October 2-5, 2026, in Ocho Rios.
Event Overview
The challenge will cover the parishes of Trelawny, St. Ann, St. Mary, and St. Andrew, with participants running scenic coastal routes, kayaking through crystal waters, hiking up the country’s famous mountain. The goal is to raise £100,000 to strengthen neonatal and paediatric healthcare services at hospitals serving critically ill infants and children along Jamaica’s northern corridor.
Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation, says the decision to bring the Island Challenge to Jamaica pays homage to the resilience of the nation as families and institutions continue to rebuild stronger after the passage of Hurricane Melissa.
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Impact on Healthcare Services
According to Dr. Kerry-Ann McKenzie, Consultant Paediatrician at Falmouth Public General Hospital, the new equipment will significantly improve the standard of care. The hospital lost all of its equipment and beds and has been displaced, currently operating with just one single designated bed in its Accident & Emergency department.
The donation of equipment from the Sandals Foundation will greatly improve the standard of care offered to the paediatric population in Falmouth and the surrounding environs. Since Hurricane Melissa, the hospital team has shown extraordinary resilience, treating patients in conditions no hospital should have to operate under.
Event Schedule
The four-day Challenge includes a community run, kayak, ascent of Dunn’s River Falls, rainforest trek, half marathon, and military endurance challenge. The event builds on the success of Island Challenges held in Antigua & Barbuda in 2023, St. Vincent & the Grenadines in 2024, and Saint Lucia in 2025, which collectively raised more than funds to support the cause.
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They are an opportunity for corporate partners, Jamaicans, and the world to share their love and support for the island’s communities, and to positively transform the neonatal and pediatric care within hospitals, giving children a fighting chance.
Registration and Information
To register for Day 3 of the Island Challenge Jamaica, visit the registration page. For more information about the Sandals Foundation and the important projects the charity supports each year, visit the Sandals Foundation website. To donate to the Sandals Foundation Island Challenge Jamaica 2026, visit the donation page.
The event will be an unforgettable experience, with participants pushing their limits to make a difference in the lives of critically ill infants and children.
