Approximately 750 students across Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac received school supplies and enjoyed an afternoon of education, entertainment and community support as the Pursuit of Excellence – The Lloyd Barker Foundation hosted its eighth annual Ready, Set, Learn! Back-to-School Giveaway. This year's events assisted approximately 530 students in Grand Cayman and 220 students in Cayman Brac. Since the initiative began in 2018, Ready, Set, Learn! has distributed approximately 3,500 school-supply packages to children across the Cayman Islands, with many students returning to the initiative over multiple years. Students received free school supplies and refreshments and enjoyed activities including free haircuts, face painting, a bouncing castle, a 360-degree camera experience, inflatable sports arcade activities, games and entertainment. Education remained at the heart of the initiative. Students put their knowledge to the test through 15 minute exam-styled Mathematics, English, Social Studies and Science quizzes, with prizes awarded to top performers. Among the major prizes presented across the two events were six bicycles and three tablets, along with a variety of additional prizes. Founder Lloyd Barker said the eighth year of Ready, Set, Learn! demonstrated what can be achieved when the community comes together to support its young people. "Eight years later, it is still incredibly rewarding to see hundreds of students show up excited about the new school year. Ready, Set, Learn! has always been about more than handing out school supplies. We want our students to have fun, challenge themselves academically and leave feeling encouraged and excited about what lies ahead." Barker also credited the volunteers who give their time before, during and after the events. "There is an enormous amount of work that happens behind the scenes — packing, transporting, setting up, distributing supplies, serving food, managing activities and cleaning up. Many of our volunteers continue to show up year after year, and their commitment is a major reason we have been able to continue this initiative for eight years." The Foundation also expressed its gratitude to the corporate partners, government entities, businesses and individuals whose financial and in-kind contributions made the 2026 events possible. "Every contribution matters. Whether someone provided school supplies, funding, food, transportation, prizes, advertising, entertainment, services or their time, it all came together to create an experience that impacted approximately 750 students across our Islands this year. We are incredibly grateful for that support." The Pursuit of Excellence – The Lloyd Barker Foundation extends its sincere appreciation to its 2026 sponsors and supporters, including AI Rentals, Alberto Beraha, Aquarius General Contractors, Cayman Airways, Cayman Airways Cargo, Cayman Brac Beach Resort, Coral Isle, Cost-U-Less, DJ Crush, D's Pizza, Foster's Group, Hon. Minister Nikolas DaCosta, Island Taste, King Nando, Kirk Market, Kirkconnell Market, Krystal Kay Events, Marketplace, Massive Equipment Rental and Sales Ltd, the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage, Party Source, Pictures by Shankar, PricewaterhouseCoopers, PROVEN Bank, Radio Cayman, Shamar Grant, Star Island, The Lion's Club of Grand Cayman, The Physiotherapy Center Ltd, Tony's Toys, Uncle Bill's, Vibestime Entertainment and Welly's Cool Spot. The Foundation also thanks every volunteer, service provider and community member who contributed to the success of the eighth annual Ready, Set, Learn! initiative. With approximately 3,500 school-supply packages distributed since 2018, Ready, Set, Learn! continues its commitment to helping young people across the Cayman Islands approach each new school year equipped, encouraged and ready to learn. About Pursuit of Excellence – The Lloyd Barker Foundation Pursuit of Excellence – The Lloyd Barker Foundation is a Cayman Islands non-profit organisation committed to empowering young people through education, mentorship and community initiatives that encourage them to pursue excellence and realise their potential.