Dr Harris who is also CARICOM’s lead spokesman on human resource, health and HIV matters, and is also the Political Leader of the Peoples Labour Party (PLP) expressed his satisfaction at the awareness that the walk has raised, and the fact that a number of PLP members and supporters from the various constituencies branches joined him for the walk which takes participants from Belle Vue to Ottley’s.

 

“I thank all the family members of the Peoples Labour Party who came out this morning and made this walk the most interesting and one of the largest we have put,” said the Party Leader at the end of the walk. 

 

“We walk in solidarity with each other, and we walk to improve on our wellness and on our health. So I would want to encourage all of us to continue doing as much physical exercise as we can; to eat healthy foods so that we could live longer and more successful lives.”

 

The walkers had been flagged off at 5:30 am, and the first group of walkers to get to Ottley’s arrived a few minutes to 7:00 am. Dr Harris promised the walkers that the next health walk will be held at the end of April and will be done again each month thereafter in succession. A healthy breakfast prepared and served by Ms Shirley Williams warmed up the exhausted walkers.

 

“I extend an invitation to all the groups to come and invite someone at your next occasion on which we will be having this health walk,” advised the Prime Minister. “I thank all of you for the tremendous support at our first convention. We feel we are strong, we feel we are positive about the future, and we will continue to build the PLP as the strongest political party there is, to serve all the people in Team Unity. 

 

“The stronger we are together, the better we will be, and so I want to wish you well, stay strong, stay healthy. Your Party Leader, your Team Unity Leader will stand firm with you and I want you to stand firm with your Team Unity Movement.”

 

Prime Minister Harris, who was mobbed by persons who took part in the walk and others who were waiting for them at Ottley’s Village, took time to commend the oldest walker, 64-year old Mrs Sylvia Berridge of Phillips Village who arrived at the finish point at 6:56 am a few minutes before the Prime Minister and his entourage who arrived at 7:02 am.

 

“I also want to thank the Deputy Party Leader, Senator the Hon Akilah Byron-Nisbett for making her first walk and she did it in style,” added Dr Harris. “I want to thank all the branch leaders who came out from Number 1, Number 2, Number 3, Number 4, Number 5, Number 6, and Number 8.”

 

PLP’s Deputy Political Leader Senator the Hon Akilah Byron-Nisbett, and who represented Number 3 expressed that it was a pleasure walking with the Peoples Labour Party family. 

 

“We had a lot of persons represented from all the constituencies and of course a lot of young people also representing all the constituencies here today,” said the Hon Byron-Nisbett. “We are looking forward to every one – come on out end of this month, next month and every month after and come exercise with us. Make sure you keep healthy, strong and you know, a stronger PLP is a stronger Team Unity.”

 

From Number 5 (Sandy Point), Ms Marsha Lewis said that she enjoyed the walk and was looking forward to the one that will be held at the end of April and certainly the one to be held in May. “Next month May is my birth month, I am looking forward next month to do this walk over and over again.”

 

Others who spoke on behalf of their Constituency Branches were, Mr Glenville Mills of Number 5; Ms Shazell Bergan of Number 4; Mr Cante Bowry Chairman Constituency Branch, Constituency Number 1 PLP; and Mr Damien Weekes of Number 3, all who said that they will return and bring more people when the next health walk is held.

 

A notable finisher was five-year old Miss Briannae Richardson a pupil at the Beach Allen Primary School, who arrived at 7:19 am in the company of her mother. Along the route she changed guidance from her father to her mother periodically and at one time she complained of being tired, but her parents encouraged her on.