BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – OVER 170 individuals representing different institutions and community walking groups came out last Saturday (Apr. 24) to join the cause of making wise financial decisions in the Financial Fitness Walk-A-Thon 2010.
The five-mile walk throughout the Basseterre area was organized by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) in collaboration with a number of financial institutions, marrying physical fitness with financial health. Participants began gathering as early as 5:00 a.m. Saturday to join others in the fun-filled event.
Speaking to SKNVibes, ECCB Corporate Relations Officer La Fleur Dublin said she was very enthused to see the outpouring of people on the streets and stressed that though the walk is over, the message must still go on.
“We had a lot of persons who do not yet own assets, so we are hoping that with our message of regular saving and managing their spending they will now be able to put it in practise and get to own tangible assets. We also hope that they won’t keep it to themselves, but to tell others so they too can practise prudent money management,” she said.
Participants followed along the route wearing T-shirts reflecting the theme of the event: ‘Get financially fit – Spend Wisely, Save Regularly’. The walk covered most of Basseterre starting from the Circus, stretching as far west as the Basseterre Bypass and as far east as the Craft House. At the finish, participants returned to the Circus for a refreshing treat of fruits and water.
Hon. Marcella Liburd, Minister of Heath, Social Services, Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs, participated in the Walk-A-Thon and commended the organisers for putting together a “well-planned initiative”.
She challenged that emphasis be placed on increasing the participation among males in future events, noting that it is critical for this group to be actively engaged in the discussion of personal financial management.
According to Dublin, the success of this year’s event has made the aim of developing the Financial Fitness Walk-A-Thon as an annual event more achievable. This is expected to be done throughout the countries of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union.
