Superintendent Derrick 'Cowboy' Knight looks on as a policewoman holds out a bucket in Cross Roads, St Andrew, as part of the Jamaica Constabulary Force's Torch Run in colaboration with Digicel and Jamaica Fire Brigade in order to raise $5,000,000 for the Special Olympics team to travel to the Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. - Ricardo Makyn

Members of the police force, the army, fire department and correctional services on Monday traded their guns, hoses and batons for cups, pans and buckets as they united to raise money on behalf of the Jamaica Special Olympics team.

This action was taken at the launch of the 13th staging of the Special Olympics torch run held at the Ward Theatre in Kingston on Monday.

"We are thankful to be able in our quest to help the special athletes. It is even more special now that other groups have come on-board to show their support," Senior Superintendent James Forbes said as the volunteers beseeched passersby to give.

THE STAR was told that the efforts of the members of the essential services was undertaken in a hope to raise $5 million.

"It is a meaningful gesture to see the support we've been given by the uniformed groups. This is real encouragement as we need all the help we can get," Lorna Bell, executive director of Special Olympics Jamaica said.

Bell told THE STAR the support has been very helpful in their quest to raise $11 million for the trip. Forty-three athletes and 14 officials are expected to attend the games which will start on June 25 in Athens, Greece.