Woman walking tall with the help of Wray and Nephew

Due to a rare knee condition which limits her ability to walk, Manchester native Khadejah Smith was desperate for assistance.

After months of unemployment, Smith asked for and received a corrective knee brace through the Wray and Nephew 'Keep Up Yuh Spirits' promotion. With the knee brace, Smith can return to the workforce and is overjoyed by the prospect of a full recovery.

"Being on the receiving end of this surprise gives me a literal gate that says 'welcome Khadejah, your life has started'. I was in a position where I couldn't see that gate, but then Wray and Nephew shined that light and now I can literally walk through, knowing that things will be OK."

Though surprised, Smith, who was one of 1,400 entrants, had a feeling she would win. "I saw the post about the promotion on Instagram, and I just had a gut feeling to enter, so I did," Smith added.

The rum company launched the promotion last December, as a toast to the inherent kindness of Jamaicans. The promotion called for Jamaicans to share their wishes or to nominate someone to be gifted a prize. Winners were selected weekly and presented with their gifts by social media influencer and philanthropist, Donna 'Aunty Donna' Gowe.

OVERWHELMING RESPONSE

There were more than 50 winners, with persons receiving cash and other prizes valued at over $10 million. Pavel Smith, Wray and Nephew's marketing manager, says the overwhelming response to the promotion is reassuring.

"The unselfish requests of those who are their brothers' keepers were particularly encouraging. Jamaicans have always had the ability to unite in difficult times and the large volume of responses seeking support for a friend, colleague or family was quite moving. Though the promotion wrapped in January, and the giveaways have been completed, the Wray Rum team wants to remind everyone to 'keep up yuh spirits' and continue to celebrate with each other."