The Cecil Cooper Foundation, will launch its inaugural Sky Hike on Saturday (March 25) in aid of the Hope Institute and cancer awareness. The six kilometre hike will start at Skyline Drive in St. Andrew.

Rose Bennett-Cooper, wife of the late Cecil Cooper, spearheaded the establishment of the Foundation to memoralise him and his impact in the art space. He was a noted and influential Jamaican painter, art educator,

The Foundation’s mission is to assist the arts, culture, and those who study and work within the Jamaican art space. The Foundation established a trust fund to provide a full scholarship, annually, to a final-year student at the Edna Manley College, as well as four to six bursaries for first-year students. Cooper was educated at the Jamaica School of Art, now the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.

In addition to objectives related to the arts, culture and education, a key objective of the Foundation is to work in the field of health and wellness.

“When Cecil Cooper battled cancer, he was aided by the Hope Institute which provided excellent care on his visits to the facility during his last weeks. There is, however, much that can be done to add to the Hope Institute, and to the quality of life for staff and patients,” said Rose Bennett-Cooper, foundation chair in a statement.

The Hope Institute, located in St. Andrew, is a hospital for cancer patients. It focuses on curative care but also functions as a hospice.

“Notwithstanding the brutal unkindness of cancer, we are entitled to the opportunity to live our final days in dignity and with excellent medical care. It is with this in mind that the Cecil Cooper Foundation now embarks on the journey to raise funds for the Hope Institute and cancer awareness. We hope you will join us on this journey,” Bennett-Cooper added, in her statement.

Since its inception in June 2022, the Foundation has raised significant funds to provide scholarships and bursaries for students of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.

For the inaugural hike, support is being sought through contributions which may be made to bank accounts in the Foundation’s name.

To contact the Cecil Cooper Foundation, call them at 876-402-4437 or 876-948-4370. Connect with them on Instagram @cecilcooperfoundation.

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