Fellow Jamaicans and Friends of Jamaica, it is with regret that we are not having a fund-raising event this year, as has been our tradition. This is due to a variety of factors but mainly the ill health of several members of the Executive Committee. I’m happy to report that they are all now on the mend. This has had serious impact on our ability to carry out the demanding work that would have been necessary to organise our main fundraising event this year.
However, we are planning to have a May Ball in 2016 and once the date has been agreed we will let you all know. As fundraising is the main means of income for JHLOF we have focused on other activities that should result in a good income stream and other levels of support, such as, sourcing of medical equipment and supplies for Jamaica.
We are happy to report that this year we have had the support of Devon Malcolm, ex–England fast bowling legend. Devon has pledged his support to JHLOF in taking us onboard as one of the three charities that he will be supporting in 2015, which is his benefit year. He and his fundraising committee have organised and put on several fundraising events in order to raise the profile and much needed funds for his chosen charities.
Other activities this year: We had alerted you to the London Marathon run by Sarah Collington, daughter of our treasurer this April on behalf of JHLOF. We were not able at the time to link you in to our Virgin Money Giving page for your support due to a massive delay in receiving our registration for gift aid from the HMRC.
This site is now up and running (www.virginmoneygiving.com/sarahcollington) and we are still encouraging you to visit the page, which you can also access via the link on the JHLOF website, to make your donation in support of our charity. Your donation and contributions are greatly appreciated to continue our endeavour to make a difference to Jamaica’s health care provision.
In spite of all the difficulties we have encountered, in July of this year we secured two Incubators, one Resuscitaire, one Portable Heart Monitor (ECG machine) and a variety of well needed medical and surgical supplies which are with our shippers ready for dispatch. In the coming months this will be followed by a number of hydraulic beds and other ward equipment and furniture. W
e extend our warmest thanks for your support over the last year and look forward to us continuing this most vital and necessary work together in the coming year.