Soldiers run cross county to fight HIV
On Monday, five men and five women of the Belize Defence Force embarked on an eight-day mission entitled “Give Something Back.” The soldiers are running and walking three hundred and sixty-seven miles across the country to raise both awareness about HIV and funds for children living with the virus. The group left Jalacte on the twenty-sixth and after a hundred and seventy-eight mile journey, arrived in Belmopan this afternoon. Commander of the Belize Defence Force, Brigadier General Lloyd Gillett, told us how the money will be used.
Brig. Gen. Lloyd Gillett, Commander, B.D.F.
“They are hoping that the public will come out and contribute to them as they pass through the different villages and towns. They will be arriving in Belize City on the thirty-first and we are hoping that the residents of Belize City will come out and contribute funds. The funds will be channelled to Cornerstone Foundation and it’s for children living with AIDS.”
Kendra Griffith
“How are they holding up so far?”
Brig. Gen. Lloyd Gillett
“Well so far from what I hear they are doing well. Imagine the heat that they are running in, but it shows the perseverance and the fitness of the B.D.F. soldiers. I think it’s good weather for them to show the public that the B.D.F. is well trained, the B.D.F. is fit and ready.”
On Saturday, the soldiers are expected to arrive in the city around one-thirty. Coming off the Western Highway, they will run into Cemetery Road, on to Albert and Queen Streets and down Freetown Road, ending at the overpass at the Flag Roundabout.
On Sunday, the soldiers leave the old capital for Orange Walk. According to organiser Lt. Derrick Castillo, a scout group will be joining the soldiers about a mile outside of town. From Orange Walk, they head to Corozal, ending at the Santa Elena border on Monday. If you would like to contribute to the cause, contact
Lt. Castillo at 604-3758. Seventy-five percent of the money will go to the Cornerstone Foundation in San Ignacio, while the remainder will aid the B.D.F.’s HIV prevention and education efforts.
