Fundraising Milestone Reached As Sandals Challenge Tops £100K For Tiny Lives In Neonatal Care

The Sandals Foundation’s 2025 Island Challenge has remarkably surpassed its fundraising goal, amassing over £100,000 (EC$363,000) for essential neonatal equipment at Saint Lucia’s Millennium Heights Medical Complex. The initiative's ambitious focus is on advancing support for the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) through a multi-day endurance event scheduled for October 17-20. This undertaking involves thirty participants from the UK, alongside six local athletes, engaging in a half-marathon, a rainforest trek, a sea kayak challenge, and a climb up Gros Piton, all to raise funds for vital equipment including ventilators, incubators, and specialized blankets.Karen Zacca, Operations Director of the Sandals Foundation, emphasized the initiative's broader impact, assisting not only newborns but also the dedicated caregivers. Dr. Lashorn Christian from the Paediatric Department expressed gratitude, stressing new equipment's critical role in enhancing survival odds for vulnerable infants. Strong partnerships with organizations like British Airways and the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority have been pivotal to this success, showcasing the community's collective strength in fostering hope.