On January 11, Mrs. Sujue Davis, wife of Governor Adrian Davis organised and hosted at Government House a Charity Concert to raise funds in support the promotion of the awareness of, and to provide funds for the screening of breast cancer in women. In addition to the concert, there was the drink bar, and raffles to add to the entertainment, which yielded a take of over $15,000.00 from 250 guests in attendance.
Miss (Nurse) Brenda Daley, vice president of the Pink Ribbon Charity at the invitation of the MC for the event, Bill Reardon, expressed apologies for the absence of their president and founder of the Charity, Miss Sonia Charles, as she welcomed the guests. She explained and expressed thanks at the same time to Sujue for the event, “to help us raise some funds for the Mamogram Fund and the Pink Ribbon Charity…”
The evening’s event which began at 6.30 was primarily a classical music evening. It began with Prelude, Sarabande, Cigue – J S Bach from Suite in G Major for unaccompanied cello performed Bunny Reardon. The Mandarin Chinese Language students of Mrs. Davis, accompanied by Rebecca Chalmers, piano, and Bunny Reardon, cello, sang in Chinese.
Anne Marie Dewar accompanied Lorraine Nanton-Lewis who sang “Ave Maria”. Gabriel Parsons, sang ‘My Way’, accompanied by Rebecca, while Camille Gerald did a Jamaican folk song, ‘Evenin Time’ with Anne Marie at the piano.
The second part of the evening performances were musical, provided by Rebecca Chalmers on flute and piano, with Bunny Reardon on the flute, solo and in duet.
The performances ended with an outstanding performance by Beth Bruer and Anne Marie, as Mavis and Mabel performing “Are you lonesome tonight?”
On January 20, Mrs. Davis conducted a short handover of the funds at the Governor’s office where she reported that the concert grossed $15,118 with a net of $11,953 presented to the on island executive of the Charity.
Mrs. Davis reported as she thanked firms and organisations who “generously provided donations for the door and raffle prizes,” said that the funds were raised from ticket and raffle sales and specific donations.
At the handover Charity treasurer, Miss Bernadine accepted the funds from Mrs. Davis and on behalf of the organization thanked Mrs. Davis and her team for the funds. “Thanks to all”, she said, “…to aid the breast cancer awareness charity and all who supported the effort of the Pink Ribbon charity
New York Montserrat Progressive Society donates to Pink Ribbon Charity
Three days later, on January 14, Mrs. Vera Weekes, represented the Montserrat Progressive Society out of New York, USA and donated $1,350.00 to the vice president, Brenda Daley, treasurer, Violet Johnson and secretary, Hazel Riley, who accepted on behalf of the Pink Ribbon Charity (PRC).
Mrs. Weekes said the Society had requested her to donate to the Pink Ribbon Charity, “to assist in their endeavor to have women travel to Antigua to have mammograms.”
She agreed that, “Worldwide this a number one diagnostic test that women are encouraged to do annually,” adding that this is a commendable initiative on behalf of women on the island of Montserrat. “We would like to continue to assist in the future also, as this can be a lifesaving screening,” she concluded.
Both the vice president Brenda Daley and secretary Hazel Riley of the PRC joined as they expressed gratitude for the donation and gave reassurance that the money will be put to good use.
“…just want to say a big thank you to the Montserrat Progressive Society and also to Mrs. Vera Weekes,” they said as they brought greetings from Sonia Charles (president), “who would have loved to be here, but, distance does not allow it.”