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Monique Todd (right), vice-president, Marketing, Public Relations and Corporate Affairs Scotiabank, presents a cheque for $5 million to Orville Shaggy Burrell, of Shaggy Foundation (second left) while looking on are Dr Michelle Anne Richards-Dawson (left), senior medical officer at Bustamante Hospital for Children, and Dr Lambert Innis, head of Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, at the launch of Shaggy and Friends Benefit Concert at the Bustamante Hospital for Children on Wednesday. - Rudolph Brown
The Shaggy make a Difference Foundation has launched another annual charity geared at providing much-needed resources for the Bustamante Hospital for Children.
The launch took place at the Bustamante Hospital for Children and saw the artiste teaming up with major corporate companies to facilitate what he described as being a worthy cause.
The hospital is the only one of its kind in Jamaica, which offers specialised health services for children. Consequently, this results in a strain on resources because the demand exceeds the availability of the necessary equipment to treat all patients.
Dr Innis, consultant anaesthetist and head of the Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care at the Bustamante Hospital for Children, cites the tremendous shortage in medical equipment at the hospital as one of the major challenges the facility continues to face. Consequently, the delivery of safe, timely and effective treatment of the critically ill is often challenging to say the least.
As such, Shaggy and friends have made another important step in contributing to nation building. Some friends such as Digicel have returned to be a part of the venture and new friends have joined the team such as competing telecommunications provider LIME.
LIME presented a cheque for $7.7 million at the launch and according to the head of marketing Stephen Price, the collaboration is not about branding but a duty.
Digcel did not state the value of their pledge. However, Thanida Nunes, representing the sponsorship committee, said that being a member of the project since its inception was phenomenal.
"We look forward to being a part of this positive movement every year ... the line-up is good and the growth that has been associated with the event is phenomenal ... I would encourage other corporate companies contribute no matter how small, if it's even to buy a ticket it will make a difference," she said.
Shaggy spoke of the line-up which he said would be exciting with a slew of international artistes such as the soulful and poetic Lauryn Hill, R&B star Ne-Yo, Trinidadian soca artiste Bunji Garlin and Stephen Marley, among a contingent of local acts.
Reggae Stalwart Half Pint will also perform and according to Shaggy, the artiste hasn't performed in Jamaica for a while and he is personally anticipating a good showing from the veteran. To date the Shaggy and Friends Make a Difference Foundation have raised a total of J$57 million (US$650,000). And Shaggy encourages corporate Jamaica to continue lending its support.
"Failure is not an option, and I am grateful for the sponsors who put their money where their heart is ... the brand is one hundred per cent transparent and that is why credible entities like Scotiabank will give as much as $5 million to the cause ... The work is a lot, however, it is worth it," Shaggy said.
The concert will be on Friday December 30 at Jamaica House and tickets for this year's staging will be Platinum $25,000, Gold $10,000 and Silver $5,000.
