NBC radiothon raises over EC$127,000

A radiothon held last Sunday, initiated by the state owned National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) to aid those affected by the heavy rains during the Christmas season, is being regarded as a major success by its organizers.{{more}}

Colville Harry, producer and one of the persons who worked behind the scenes, told SEARCHLIGHT that they were able to raise $127,507, which is more than the target they had set.

Harry explained that there were two sessions, with the morning session realizing just over $69,000 and the afternoon session, which went over by an hour and 50 minutes, taking the total up to the $127,000 mark.

The initial target set was $100,000, Harry said; however, following on the morning session and the amount raised then, the threshold was then raised to $125,000.

“The response in the afternoon was really good, seeing that we had been doing it since morning,” Harry explained.

Pledges came in from all sectors, groups and individuals, young and old, he said, including clubs, governmental and non-governmental organizations, churches, clubs, business houses and even chidren.

According to Harry, there were a few young ones calling in to pledge small amounts.

Participation from sister stations was also forthcoming, he said, with stations such as We FM, Star Radio, Hitz Fm and Hot 97.1 joining in on the fund-raising event.

“That was a surprise to everyone, but Luke (Luke Boyea) was very much on board,” Harry told SEARCHLIGHT.

The radiothon was hosted by Dionne John and Jimmy Prince, but there were also a number of officials who dropped in during various segments of the programme, Harry said.

Individuals included Senators Camillo Gonsalves and Jomo Thomas, lawyers Ronald Marks and Rochelle Forde, Cecil Ryan, Central Water and Sewerage Authority representative Joan Ryan, BRAGSA representative Kenyatta Alleyne, Democratic Republican Party leader Anesia Baptiste, Stina Hergerg of the Richmond Vale Academy and representatives from the Red Cross among others.

“Basically the response was good; when we heard people calling and making $5,000 contributions, we were like, this is good,” he continued.

Harry is, however, urging all who made commitments to “stick to their word.”

And for those who would still like to make a contribution, they can do so by taking their contribution to the Bank of St Vincent and the Grenadines and depositing it to account number 137736 under the name SVG Relief 2014.(DD)