Marksman, a member of the Guardsman Group of Companies, has thrown its weight behind the Digicel Foundation 5K Night Run/Walk in Aid of Special Needs, which will be held on Saturday, October 20 in downtown Kingston.

The security firm will have 30 of its guards participate in what is seen as a first-of-its-kind event and is further lending its support to assuage public anxieties about safety regarding the time and location of the race.

"Marksman fully supports Digicel's efforts in this noble cause and commends the company for taking the bold decision to not just embrace but involve downtown Kingston, the true heart of the city, through this initiative," Managing Director Robert Epstein said.

"We recognise and appreciate people's concerns about a night run downtown. However, as an entity dedicated to protecting Jamaicans and providing the highest quality security solutions we wish to reassure the public that their safety is a key priority and that everything is being done to ensure all participants will have a safe and enjoyable race," added Epstein, who will lead his team of guards in the event.

"Downtown is a thriving place with a proud and rich history and, thanks to companies like Digicel, it is prepared to play a great role in our future. This race will give us all the opportunity to be a part of an incredible event in this great town's story and I encourage all who can to come out and support for a good cause," he further stated.

October 20 is gearing up to be a very exciting day for a very worthy cause. Gymkhana, another of the companies under the Guardsman Group brand, has also entered a team in the event.

Foundation investment

The Digicel Foundation is one of the largest local private-sector foundation in Jamaica. Since its inception in 2004 the foundation has invested over J$1.3 billion in communities in which Digicel operates islandwide. The Digicel Foundation has been proactive in the areas of education, special needs, and community empowerment.

The Digicel Foundation has:

Invested over J$100 million in its enrichment initiative, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, to improve literacy at the primary-school level islandwide.

Invested over J$38 million in resource rooms, including science and IT labs, in high schools islandwide.

Committed to building three special needs schools, the first of which, the STEP Centre, broke ground in March 2012.

Invested over J$60 million in community empowerment initiatives over the past four years, including $10 million annually and $15 million this year to support the National Best Communities Competition and Programmes.

For more information go to: www.digiceljamaicafoundation.org