BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – EFFORTS by the surgical team of the JNF General Hospital to raise funds for the purchase of a brand new ambulance were boosted yesterday (Aug. 29) when Christophe Harbour donated a US$20,000 cheque to the medical institution.
At a media briefing yesterday, Medical Chief-of-Staff Dr. Cameron Wilkinson told reporters that the ambulance is priced at EC$255,000, and that the hospital had raised over EC$150,000 prior to Christophe Harbour’s donation.
The hospital, for a number of years, had experienced a shortage of transportation on the island, and at times it was burdened with many employees having to work double shifts at various venues during major events.
However, in an effort to acquire additional transportation, Dr. Wilkinson said that several years ago the surgical team at the hospital decided to start a fund-raising venture because it was recognized that it should not be left upon the government alone to purchase all equipment needed at the institution.
He stated that coming out of the initial event, they had raised $12,000 and, following that, they had seen a steady increase in funds that raised during their annual concert.
The Medical Chief-of-Staff declared that they raised close to $50,000 in 2016 and this year they are looking at doubling that figure, as the aim is to purchase the much-needed ambulance.
Explaining some of the difficulties the hospital had experienced over the years, Dr. Wilkinson said: “We know that people call upon the hospital for ambulance services all the time. Sometimes persons don’t realise how we are stretched, especially when we have activities like Carnival, Music Festival, cricket, et cetera. We sometimes have to have an ambulance designated to those events and still expect to do our regular job going around the island picking up persons.”
He also explained that they often rely on private partnership for their fundraising venture and are thankful for Christophe Harbour’s assistance.
Christophe Harbour’s Vice President of Operations, Jon Gersonde stated that it was a pleasure for his organization to be partnering with the JNF General Hospital’s venture.
“Health and wellness and improving the quality of life is a pillar and hallmark of the Darby Foundation, and we couldn’t be more happier to part of this.”
According to Gersonde, the Christophe Harbour Foundation has been playing an integral role in a number of fund raising activities.
