President’s College hosts run for David Rose Special School

Apr 06, 2025 Features / Columnists, News, Waterfalls Magazine

— raises over $1.2 M

By: Christal Yong

Kaieteur News- In the spirit of camaraderie and support, President’s College hosted its annual run for David Rose Special School and raised a total of $. 1,201,500. The cheque was handed over to a representative of the school on Thursday last.

President’s College hosts run for David Rose Special School

Principal of President’s College, Samantha Success, (Middle) Daniels (right) the Deputy HM at David Rose Special School and a teacher of David Rose receiving the cheque from the fundraiser.

Willon Cameron, the Physical Education and Sport Teacher at President’s College, who also serves as the Coordinator of the run, told The Waterfalls that the fundraiser is rooted in the vision of the late former president and Founder of the school. Burnham aimed to produce elite students of service through the school.

According to Cameron, the tradition known as the’ Run for David Rose,’ which began in the late 1980s, has grown far beyond its humble origins, bringing together students, teachers, and local organizations to support a cause that continues to make a meaningful impact in the community.

David Rose Special School, located on Thomas Road in Georgetown, is the only special needs school most people in the community know about. It was here that the idea was born: students from President’s College would run on behalf of those students who, due to their disabilities, are unable to participate in such activities.

Over the years, this fundraiser has become a key part of the school’s ongoing efforts to give back, and a testament to their commitment to voluntarism.

President’s College students on their annual run in support of the David Rose Special School, turning each step into a meaningful act of service and community.

This year’s run has evolved as the most significant fundraiser ever for the David Rose Special School as record-breaking 113 students and 21 teachers participated in the fundraiser.

Typically, students from Grades 8 and 10 are most involved, but in a bid to make the fundraiser more inclusive, the entire student body was encouraged to participate.

“As of last year we told ourselves that the $200,000 or $500,000 that we usually give is not enough, after we realized in 2023 that you know the school was using the money for a feeding programme, then we are not giving nowhere near enough, so as of last year we set a goal to give no less than $1 million,” Cameron said.

He said the strategy to meet this lofty goal was simple yet effective. The school involved the entire student body in the fundraising efforts. Instead of limiting the run to just two grades, every student contributed in some way, whether through fundraising, organizing events or coming up with creative ideas to raise money.

“We say okay well if it’s 500 students well we know then at least $2000 from each child will give us the $1 million target,” Cameron explains.

President’s College student starting the Run for David Rose Special School

But students were not expected to dig into their own pockets. Instead, they worked together as classes, each tasked with raising a certain amount. Whether through hosting movie nights, selling popsicles, or reaching out to local businesses for donations, the students embraced the challenge with enthusiasm.

The efforts were nothing short of remarkable. In just three months, the school surpassed its goal, raising an impressive $1,201,500, the largest sum ever collected in the history of the Run for David Rose. This achievement was a culmination of hard work, creativity, and a strong sense of community.

The grand finale of the fundraiser took place with the handing of the funds, a touching moment that brought the students, teachers, and local supporters together.

On Thursday, the students of President’s College ran the distance to the school, bearing with them a donation that would make a tangible difference in the lives of the students there.

At the conclusion, the donation was officially presented to representatives of the David Rose Special School. A special thank you was extended to the Guyana Police Force, particularly the Covent John branch and Eve Leary head office, as well as the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

Additionally, local businesses such as Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) and Banks DIH have been invaluable partners, donating water to help rehydrate the participants during the run.

As President’s College continues its legacy of service, this year’s fundraising achievement serves as a reminder of what can be accomplished when students, teachers, and the wider community come together with a shared purpose. In the end, the Run for David Rose is more than just a fundraiser. It’s a celebration of service, compassion, and the power of community—a legacy that will inspire generations of students to come.

(President’s College hosts run for David Rose Special School)

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