Haines takes up six marathon challenge

(CNS): Local veteran marathon runner Derek Haines is setting himself an incredible goal this year of running six marathons before the year is out. While six marathons would be a challenge for any runner, the fact that Haines is 65 years old makes the feat all the more impressive. But Haines has never let age stand in his way and has significant motivation to achieve the goal. As always, he will not be wearing his feet down to the bone for free but is aiming to raise CI$1 million for a new purpose-built additional facility for Cayman HospiceCare. Over the years, Haines has run many marathons, raising $250,000 for good causes in the last four years alone, but this will be a record even by his standards.

“My wife Helen is fully supportive but is increasing my life insurance,” Haines joked, as he told CNS of his goal in an email from Guatemala, where he is currently delivering books to kids in need across the central American country.

His first run will be at the Paris marathon on 6 April and then just one week later on 13 April Haines will be pounding the pavements in London.

“It will be my second Paris and eleventh London, so it will be good to be back pounding a well-known beat," he said. He has also applied to enter the New York Marathon and then one in Chicago. Haines said he is also hoping that his daughter, Lizzy, can join him on another one in the Pacific basin in late June. The final challenge will be in front of a home crowd for the Cayman marathon in December

“This is an exciting challenge but I am sure I am up to it. Although this is twice the number I have ever run in a year before. It is also the largest appeal I have been directly involved in. But, if previous fund raisers are a guide, I am confident we can raise the required amount for this very necessary facility.”

All travel costs and registration fees will be self-funded by Haines, and the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman is donating £2,000 to the British Hospice Society to guarantee his entry into the London race.

“Folks have been very generous with their support and most people understand the need for a care facility of this kind. I have already received promises of substantial funding and of other means of completing this project. A million dollars is a large amount but we can raise it.”

The appeal will be formerly launched by Governor Helen Kilpatrick at a reception at Government House in March. The Hospice Facility, which ideally will be set in pleasant surroundings in a calm environment, will serve as an operations and administration building, to include offices for the clinical team, that will continue to provide at home care as well as inpatient care, together with both the administration and fundraising staff. 

Attached, with a separate entrance, will be en suite rooms for an in-patient hospice facility, with the attendant supporting elements, such as a kitchen and a lounge for families. The need for storage of both medical and fundraising event elements and a kitchen for Lunch Club activities will also be included. 

Rotary Club Treasurer Chris Johnson is opening a dedicated bank account to accommodate donations towards the appeal.

“Every dollar that is donated to this appeal will be used for completing this new Hospice facility. There will be no administrative costs or other expenses paid from it and I think this is very important for donors to understand,” he added.

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