Laurent Keeble-Buckle exercises regularly, but his fitness was put to test on Friday when he joined about 150 other residents during the Caribbean Wellness Day Workforce Fun Walk/Run.
“It was very tough and hilly at the start, but it was good fun,” said Mr. Keeble-Buckle, a Baker Tilly BVI employee who typically runs at least two or three times each week. “Otherwise I’ll sit behind the desk and get fat.”
And that’s exactly what organisers want to prevent, explained Stephanie Russ-Penn, one of the volunteers who work with the Ministry of Health and Social Development to host the event each year.
“It appears the community is beginning to move more,” Ms. Russ-Penn said. “I think people are getting into it. The aim is to promote fitness, and if we can help in some way we will continue to do so.”
Other territories and countries in the region also joined in observing Caribbean Wellness Day, which was established by the Caribbean Community in 2007. Over the years, themes for the day have ranged from lifestyles to aging to workforce fitness.
This year’s theme — “Healthy Children, Healthy Communities” — was chosen to highlight unhealthy food choices in the region, said Sir Trevor Hassell, president of the Healthy Caribbean Coalition, a group of health-related non-profit organisations that spearhead CWD events around the region.
See the Sept. 15, 2016 edition for full coverage.
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