From October 17-20, Saint Lucia will host the third edition of the Island Challenge, an endurance-based initiative that combines athletic grit with philanthropy to raise funds for neonatal healthcare.
The event, coordinated by the Sandals Foundation, Unique Vacations UK Ltd, Island Routes, Sandals Resorts Saint Lucia, and the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, aims to raise £100,000 (EC$362,000) to support the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at the Millennium Heights Medical Complex.
Each year, the SCBU provides life-saving support to around 180 high-risk newborns, and the funds raised will go toward strengthening that care. Participants, ranging from travel industry professionals to Sandals team members, will navigate an intense four-day course that includes long-distance running, sea kayaking, rainforest hiking, a half-marathon, and a climb up the iconic Gros Piton.
“The Island Challenge represents more than just endurance and sport; it represents hope,” said Dr Damian Greaves, CEO of the Millennium Heights Medical Complex. “By aligning tourism and philanthropy with healthcare, we are creating a direct impact on the lives of our most vulnerable citizens.”
Since its inception, the Island Challenge has already raised £200,000 for similar healthcare projects in Antigua & Barbuda and St Vincent & the Grenadines.
“We’re deeply committed to supporting vulnerable communities across the Caribbean, and the Island Challenge allows us to do that in a meaningful, community-driven way,” said Heidi Clarke, executive director of the Sandals Foundation.
“When we improve access to healthcare, especially for newborns, we’re giving entire families a better future.”
“The idea was never just about pushing physical limits; it was always about pushing for change,” said Karl Thompson, managing director of Unique Vacations UK Ltd, in an interview with the BBC.
“We’ve seen the real difference this can make to hospitals and families facing impossible circumstances. We’re hoping this year will be the biggest and best yet, and the most impactful.”
Locally, the initiative is being praised as a model for socially conscious tourism. The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority sees it as an opportunity to spotlight how tourism can uplift sectors beyond travel, including critical areas like healthcare.
