The Kiwanis Club of Hamilton’s inaugural fundraising Buddy Walk for the Disabled was such a success that it is to become an annual event.

Close to thirty people took part in the walk to raise money for the Margaret Carter Centre, which is dedicated to improving the quality of life of people with disabilities.

Organisers hosted the event during October because it marks both Mental Health Awareness Month and Down’s Syndrome Month.

Jeanne Atherden, the Minister of Health, is not on the Island so Kim Wilson, the Shadow Minister of Health, made a speech at Victoria Park ahead of the walk, which took in Cedar Avenue, Marsh Folly and, for some walkers, Dock Hill.

She said: “There is a great correlation between the contributions of the Margaret Carter workshop and Mental Health Awareness Month.

“Margaret Carter was a very strong advocate and champion for persons with disabilities. So committed to this cause, Margaret Carter worked tirelessly in advocating for the need for legal protection for disabled persons within our community.

“This commitment culminated in amendments to the Human Rights Act to add the necessary legal protection from discrimination for persons with disabilities.

“With October being Mental Health Awareness Month, and given that one in four residents will experience a problem with their mental health, it is well past time that this community should share the legal protection from discrimination afforded to others.

“As a member of the Opposition, I am imploring the Government to amend the Human Rights Act to include mental illness as a protected grounds against discrimination.”

Leleath Bailey, a former president of the Kiwanis club, said: “Today is a very historic time for the Kiwanis Club of Hamilton and St George’s as we celebrate Down’s Syndrome Month and Mental Health Awareness Month and our first buddy walk.”

After the walk there was a presentation at Victoria Park with musical entertainment performed by people with disabilities.

Speaking to ‘The Royal Gazette’ after the event, Ms Bailey added: “The walk was the brainchild of the current president, Sylvia Gibbons, who has a sister with Down’s syndrome. We thought it would be good to adopt the idea. We haven’t counted up all the funds yet but we had two sponsors that each gave us $1,000 — the International Women’s Bermuda Community and a private sponsor. We are looking to embrace as many organisations to partner with as we can.

“The Kiwanis Club is working with the Margaret Carter Centre to introduce a leadership skill programme for people with disabilities.”

Organisations that Ms Bailey said the Kiwanis Club hoped to partner with include Child and Family Services, Hope Homes and the Dame Marjorie Bean Academy.