The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) today, November 12 in honour of celebrating 93 years of continuous service to Montserrat, donated Can$5,000.00 to the Montserrat National Trust, in support of a project aimed at harvesting rainfall for the irrigation of native plants in the Trust’s botanic gardens.
Ms. Cassandra Ryan, Manager for RBC Royal Bank of Canada, Montserrat, joined by Mr. Robin Shaw, Country Head, Antigua and Montserrat, made the cheque presentation. “We are pleased to make this donation to the Montserrat National Trust,” Ms. Ryan said. “RBC is focusing significant resources around the world to ensure communities have access to clean, fresh water and to raise awareness about the importance of preserving this precious resource. This project will directly benefit the people of Montserrat.”
Mr. Shaw who officially handed over the check to Lady Eudora Fergus, National Trust Director told the witnessing group of Montserrat media that as part of the overall initiative, RBC has pledged US$1 million to water-related projects across the Caribbean region. “At RBC, we are committed to preserving and protecting fresh water resources,” he said adding, “this project by the Montserrat National Trust ties directly to our mission of fostering a culture of water stewardship in our communities.”
Lady Fergus in response, accepting the checque said she was delighted to accept the generous contribution on behalf of the National Trust. “It is going to help us to better take care of our botanic garden, which we are trying to establish. We will be able to collect water in the rainy season so we can water the plants in dry weather, we can also wash off the ash when it ashes,” Lady Fergus said.
“More than that,” she continued, “…it is a privilege to be able to join forces associated with the Royal Bank of Canada to promote a culture of water protection and harvesting…”
Since its founding in 1969, the Montserrat National Trust has focused on the conservation and enhancement of the island’s natural and historical resources and the promotion of environmental education. The Trust’s botanic gardens are on land it acquired after leaving its former premises, which are now buried under volcanic ash. The educational botanic gardens comprise a nursery, terraced farming, segmented areas to show plants of commercial significance to Montserrat, a pond and stream replicating flora and fauna of the ghauts and ravines, and areas for medicinal plants.
The donation was made from a RBC project launched and titled RBC Blue Water Project in 2007 as a 10-year, $50 million philanthropic commitment to supporting organisations that protect watersheds and ensure access to clean drinking water around the world. Since 2007, RBC has committed more than CAD$25 million in single and multi-year grants to 292 organisations around the globe. The Blue Water Project underscores the importance of fresh water as a critical resource not only to people’s health, but to the development of a strong economy and prosperous communities.
The bank representatives said that this was part of the overall initiative that RBC has pledged US$1 million to water-related projects across the Caribbean region.
RBC has been in the Caribbean for 127 years and operates in five countries of the Eastern Caribbean, specifically Antigua , Dominica , St. Lucia , St. Kitts and Montserrat. 2010 marks RBC’s 93rd anniversary of continuous service in Montserrat.
