Addison Kelly Butterfly 5K

The inaugural Addison Kelly Butterfly 5k Walk/Run will be held on 4 February 2023. All funds raised will go to the Addison Kelly Memorial Scholarship that will be administered through the Alex Panton Foundation.

Addison Kelly was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression at age 15. These mental illnesses were directly caused by trauma she experienced between the ages of 8 to 10 years old when she was repeatedly sexually abused. The pain she suffered took her on a difficult journey and she struggled with self-harm and other mental health disorders. She was then diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. Even as she fought daily for her mental health, she maintained the most positive attitude and kept a smile on her face.

When Addi was in treatment, she spoke often about wanting to study to become a therapist and/or psychiatrist when she got older so she could help others who were experiencing similar challenges, especially in her beloved home, the Cayman Islands. She had researched colleges which offered programmes in these fields, and in her more hopeful moments was looking forward to making a difference in her world. However, on Tuesday, 8 February 2022, Addi succumbed to her illnesses, taking her life at just 16-years old.

The Addison Kelly Memorial Scholarship was created by the Kelly family to enable persons in Cayman who have a desire to help people struggling with mental illnesses do so. Addi had a team of incredible therapists and doctors who helped her through many challenging times, but there is an urgent need in Cayman for more trained specialists in this field.

The Addison Kelly Memorial Scholarship is available to eligible students interested in pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree or other formal certification in the field of mental health from an accredited overseas institution. Administered by the Alex Panton Foundation, all proceeds from the Addison Kelly Butterfly 5k will go toward the scholarship fund.