Tag: Sports

GK-Sponsored Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce Pocket Rocket Foundation Celebrity Auction a Huge Success

Event raises some J$4M for Pocket Rocket Foundation Education Fund

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Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce with the memorabilia auctioned.

On Thursday, May 5, GraceKennedy supported Jamaica’s first ever silent auction put on by its Ambassador Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. The auction featuring mobile bidding for signed sports memorabilia exceeded its intended target of $3million, raising a whopping $4 million plus for the scholarship fund for Shelly-Ann’s Pocket Rocket Foundation. The event, held at The Spanish Court Hotel Hall, was supported by GraceKennedy’s FGB, GKRS, GK General Insurance and GraceKennedy Corporate brands.

With Dr. Michael Abrahams as MC and President of the Pocket Rocket Foundation Bruce James guiding the mobile bidding process, regular updates on the popular items were provided to encourage the audience to submit their best offers. The 14 items available fetched impressive bids, with a jersey from superstar footballer Neymar Jr., shoes from LeBron James and spikes from Shelly-Ann attracting the highest individual bids. A precision timepiece by Swiss watchmakers Ernst Benz and a signed 2014 PGA Championship Valhalla flag donated by PGA Golfer Rory Mcllroy, also attracted impressive bids.

Guest speaker, Olympian Sherone Simpson shared stories of her success, despite the pressures of a demanding athletic career and her focus on her academics.

Guests included Shelly-Ann’s sponsors, Board Members of the Pocket Rocket Foundation, MVP Track & Field Club teammates and sports enthusiasts.

Jelani Walker is the First Recipient of the Don Wehby Scholarship for Excellence in Sports and Academics

GraceKennedy Group CEO and St George’s College ‘Old Boy’ Don Wehby spoke at the school’s graduation ceremony. During his remarks, he made a call for more individuals to get involved in the development of their alma maters, pledging $100,000 of his personal income to fund an annual scholarship for needy, academically inclined athletes at the institution.

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Mr Wehby has made good on that promise. On Tuesday, September 8, at the St George’s Founder’s Day service at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, sixth form student Jelani Walker was awarded the inaugural Don Wehby scholarship for Excellence in Sports and Academics.  The scholarship will be given annually to a sixth form student in need of financial assistance, who displays academic excellence, excellence in sports, community service and a high level of discipline.

“I was an athlete in High School, and I know first- hand the challenge to balance the schoolwork with the sports. Add financial need to the equation and it can cause great stress and worry, and that can really negatively impact how a young person performs in school. I think it’s also good to reward young people who aim high, display good values and achieve greatness. Jelani is an outstanding you man, and very deserving of this award based on the criteria,” said Mr Wehby.

“I just want to encourage more of us who can – as individuals and as corporate entities – to give back to the schools that have, in large part, helped to make us who we are.  It’s good for the young people, good for the institutions and good for Jamaica,” said Wehby.