Haines needs $100k ahead of final run

(CNS): Derek Haines' epic challenge to complete six marathons in a year has captured the attention and respect of many in Cayman not just for the distance ran, but for the cause it's being run for. Through fund raising and increasing awareness of his personal challenge Haines aims to raise one million dollars for the building of a new Cayman Hospice Center. The final marathon of the million dollar fundraiser will take place on Sunday from 7 December starting at 6am from Breezes by the Bay in George Town.  However, the marathon man is still short of almost $100,000 and is sincerely hoping that there will be a final surge before he puts on his trainers for the last 26.2 miles this weekend.

Haines continues his prolific journey with the support of the community, local businesses, his friends and family. Contributions have varied greatly from donation to donation – with the dollar a race donation from a local Rastafarian to the hundreds of thousands from local business people and companies.

“It has been a community wide contribution,” Haines said.

In an interview with CNS, Wednesday, he said his family is behind him and are “very supportive”, with his daughter having taken part in one of his marathons, in Pampalona, (pictured above) as well as planning to join him for this one on Sunday.

Cayman Hospice Care provides end-of-life care to Caymanians, who are dying, for free. They are paying $6,000 a month to rent out properties currently. The aim is to get them their own property “To help them stand on their own two feet,” as Haines said.

It is hoped that with sufficient donations for the purchase of their own property that money can then be funnelled back into their own operations and maintenance costs. The new building will enable HospiceCare to provide “in-patient care” to its clients, and will also save the charity some $72,000 in annual rent

“I'm not an architect, I'm not a builder… I'm just the runner, and I try to get the money,” Haines said before going on to explain that the building is hoped to be a four bedroom building with en suite facilities, a nurse's administrative area and a family room for visits. He has funded his own travel expenses and training costs himself.

Haines is nearing his financial target as well as the finish line after a globe-trotting campaign spanning six different countries, having overcome injury and doubt – and having worn out several pairs of shoes. “If you say you're going to do something, you do it.” he said. A lofty idea that “started off over a few beers” early in the year with some friends is turning into a reality.

The funds raised currently stand at $905,000 and the Cayman community can get behind him and donate at the fund-raising website http://six4hospice.com/. This last marathon doesn’t necessarily mean that the run for donations will be over though, with the website and fund remaining open to any late contributions to the Hospice fund.

Contributors so far include Dart (and subsidiaries), the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman, Massive Group, Massive Media, Chris Johnson Associates Ltd., John Doak Architecture, Digicel, LIME, KMedia Graphx, ICOA, Precision Solar, Sol Distributors and the Jacques Scott Group.  Businesses like Home Gas and Andro Group also will be contributing to the construction of the new Hospice facility.