A leg-up for youth athletes

Barbados’ primary and secondary school athletes are getting a leg-up on their dreams of sporting success with the help of Harold’s Heart Athletic Shoe Hub (HASH).

The initiative, a partnership between The Nation Publishing Co. Limited, Chefette Restaurants Ltd, Starcom Network Inc. and Frosteez Ice Cream will allow National Primary Schools Athletics Championships (NAPSAC) and Barbados Secondary Schools Athletics Championships (BSSAC) participants to use track shoes free of cost to compete in their respective events.

Conceptualised by Nation Group Marketing Executive Romaine Lovell, Harold’s Heart was created in honour of the late founding father of The Nation Publishing Co. Limited, Harold Hoyte.

The initiative exemplifies his generous spirit and love for the community.

Speaking of the shoe hub, Lovell said: “In recent times we have all heard and been a part of the public outcry for support of our developing athletes. The Nation sits in a position to not only report on the public’s perspective, but also to drive change. It has always been our mandate to be a help to the helpless and a voice to the voiceless members. This year, we wanted to simply continue to assist the members of our communities.”

Managing director of Chefette Restaurants Limited and Frosteez Ice Cream, Ryan Haloute, echoed Lovell’s sentiments: “Chefette and Frosteez are honoured to be given the opportunity to partner with Romaine and his team at the Nation Group on this initiative of the Harold’s Heart Athletic Shoe Hub.

“This aligns with our core values of giving

back to our local communities by providing the gear for our younger athletes to perform at a higher level, while also promoting a more balanced and active lifestyle.”

Student athletes can sign up to borrow shoes each day of the NAPSAC and BSSAC events. Volunteers at the hub will sanitise and categorise the shoes, ensuring that they are clean between each use and readily available as the athletes need them.

Lovell noted that volunteers from Chefette, Frosteez and Nation Publishing will run the hub each day and thanked them for their commitment and support.

He also thanked Spar Sports Gear, The Sock Man and My Box USA for their assistance in ensuring that the shoes and other necessary equipment were ready in time for NAPSAC.

HASH is the company’s second Harold’s Heart

activity, following last year’s

Christmas giveaway where 60 primary school students from the Bridgetown area received shoes, clothing and toys.

Lovell said the Nation looked forward to continue supporting the community through many more similar initiatives. (PR)

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