The Shaggy Make A Difference Foundation (SMADF) continues its altruistic work with the sixth staging of the unifying charity concert, Shaggy & Friends, scheduled for Saturday, January 6, 2018, on the lawns of Jamaica House, St. Andrew.
Assists Bustamante Hospital for Children
Co-Produced by Rebecca Packer-Burrell, executive director of SMADF, Shaggy & Friends is the main vehicle through which the organization keeps its pledge to meaningfully partner with and assist the Bustamante Hospital for Children. Proceeds from this show will go towards increasing the beds in the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital, the sole paediatric facility in the island and the only full-service children’s hospital in the English-speaking Caribbean.
Sharon Burke, CEO, Solid Agency alsosupports the event as Co-Producer.
“The Bustamante Hospital for Children Paediatric Intensive Care Unit is the only one of its kind in the English speaking Caribbean. We admit 150 patients annually to this 5 bedded facility but are beset by the consequences of resource limitations; inadequate physical space, inconsistent supplies of critical items, difficulty with acquisition of cutting-edge equipment as wellas maintenance of the equipment we have, are challenges weencounter in our quest to offer world class service in this Unit” explains Dr. Brian James, Head of the Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care.
“We therefore, feel extraordinarily grateful to the Shaggy & Friends Foundation for their on-going efforts in assisting the Hospital and the Unit. Please keep it going” Dr. James added.
Totally committed to the project on several levels, Mrs. Packer-Burrell notes that organizing the 2018 staging of the biennial concert has been an incredible experience and emphasizes that the end product will be “truly awesome”.
Line-up of artists
The event boasts a fantastic artiste line-up. Among the acts confirmed for Shaggy & Friends 2018 are Sting, Wyclef Jean, Fetty Wap, Bunji Garlin and Fay-Ann Lyons, Christopher Martin, Aidonia, Dexta Daps, Junior Reid, Shenseea, Barrington Levy, Third World, ChakaDemus and Pliers, Capleton, Professor Nuts and Wayne Wonder.
Shaggy “super excited”
Founder and chairman of the SMADF, Orville ‘Shaggy” Burrell confesses he is “super excited and humbled” at being given this wonderful opportunity to significantly make a difference.
“We are as committed to this project as we were when we first staged Shaggy & Friends in 2009. If anything, the fire is burning even brighter. This project has taken over a part of my life and I wouldn’t have it any other way. It is a great experience to be able to partner with our patrons, sponsors, other organizations and dedicated individuals to save the lives of children – our future.
“Again, I must commend the caring doctors and nurses at Bustamante Hospital for Children, who work tirelessly to perform their duties, regardless of the circumstances,” Shaggy declared.
Shaggy and Friends Benefit Concert had its inaugural staging on January 3, 2009 after which the Shaggy Make A Difference Foundation was born. The organization has since donated more than US$1.5million in equipment and services thanks to the proceeds from the Shaggy & Friends concerts.
Tickets are available online now at www.caribtix.com.
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