Regional financial entity CIBC FirstCaribbean is joining all Jamaicans and, in particular, beneficiaries of the outstanding work of the late Sarah Newland Martin, former administrator and general secretary of the YMCA Kingston, in expressing condolences to her family on her passing.

The company, in a statement that quoted managing director Nigel Holness, said Newland Martin demonstrated outstanding leadership ability over 36 years at “The Y” as it is affectionately called, despite her own physical disability.

“The past several years have been especially challenging in raising funds to continue the organisation’s valuable work in assisting Jamaican youth and communities to live healthy lives and CIBC FirstCaribbean, has been privileged to contribute to the sustainability of some of the Y’s programmes,” he said.

“We remember Mrs Newland Martin as a most inspiring and committed defender of the less fortunate in our society and a shining reminder that persons with disabilities can move mountains,” Holness added.

Newland Martin, a record-holding Special Olympian, died last Wednesday (June 8) at the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH). She most notably served as general secretary of the Kingston Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) for 36 years.