Bredrin 2K Walk raises over $2 million for Down syndrome community

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Down’s Syndrome Foundation (JDSF) has raised more than $2 million to support its programmes for people with Down syndrome and their families. According to a release, the funds were raised at the third staging of the Bredrin 2K Walk, held on Sunday, October 18, at Hope Gardens in Kingston. The event attracted more than 250 participants, including families, corporate sponsors, volunteers and members of the Down syndrome community. Held under the theme “Stronger Together Against Loneliness”, the annual event highlighted the importance of meaningful connections, access to essential services and removing barriers that can leave individuals with Down syndrome and their families feeling excluded. The funds will support the foundation’s ongoing programmes, including counselling for parents, bi-monthly parent support meetings, free eye and hearing screenings, educational guides and printed resources for new parents, and grants for active members. The money will also help provide free pneumococcal vaccines for children with Down syndrome, who face an increased risk of potentially life-threatening pneumococcal infections. Executive Director of Events Nadine Tarawalli described the walk as a growing movement for social change. “Bredrin 2K Walk is more than a walk, it is a movement to break barriers, challenge limits and build a Jamaica where persons with Down syndrome can thrive. Our JPS volunteers came fully charged and delivered without a single outage, and our sponsors showed what real partnership looks like by investing in inclusion, opportunity and a stronger Jamaica,” Tarawalli said. “We are stronger together, and we're only getting started. Help us make that dream a reality. Bredrin 2K Walk 2027, bigger and better!” she added. The event also received the endorsement of the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities, reinforcing the importance of collaborative efforts to advance the rights, inclusion and well-being of persons with disabilities. Among the returning supporters was Tim Harris, founder of the Tim Harris Foundation, who travelled from the United States with his team to participate in the walk. Harris has supported the initiative since its inception. “I’ve been coming to the Bredrin Walk for the last three years to support the Jamaica Down Syndrome Foundation from the US. This year was so much fun to travel to Jamaica with my team to walk and support families of children with Down syndrome. Oh yeah!” Harris said. The foundation said his continued participation reflected the growing reach of the event and the connections being built through a shared commitment to inclusion. The JDSF expressed appreciation to its sponsors, including Digicel Foundation, CB Facey, JPS Foundation, Intelligent Multimedia Ltd, Universal Service Fund, Fontana, Kemtek Development & Construction Ltd, Barita Foundation, NCB Foundation, King Alarm, Hope Zoo, WATA, National Health Fund, Protective Systems & Alarms, ND Communications and Trademark Interactive. Now in its third year, the Bredrin 2K Walk continues to provide a platform for advocacy, community engagement and fundraising while celebrating the abilities and contributions of people with Down syndrome. The foundation said it remained committed to building a Jamaica where no person with Down syndrome or their family feels left behind.