Over $190,000 raised from ‘Rise Up’ concert – promoter

Almost three weeks following the Rise Up benefit concert, the organizers, hailing the show a success, have announced that they were able to raise over $190,000 to help with the renovation of the Maternity ward at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital.{{more}}

One of the organizers, businessman Luke Boyea told SEARCHLIGHT yesterday that they are now in the process of waiting for the Government to match their earnings, so that the money could be distributed.

According to Boyea, close to six thousand tickets were sold. He added that they are waiting on a few of the sponsors to hand over monies.

Explaining how the distribution of the money will be done, Boyea said accounting firm KPMG, which is managing the money, would have the relevant authorities at the hospital submit invoices to KPMG, which will then disburse the money to the vendor for the specific item that is to be bought for the ward. The Maternity ward was extensively damaged during the passage of a trough system on December 24, 2013.

“We are just finalizing the details of how the process will work,” he said.

Boyea extended thanks to all of the sponsors for their contribution.

“I want to thank all of those who extended their services free of charge. I have to thank the Djs, business community, radio stations, politicians, persons who donated the canopy; National Lotteries, all the artistes who performed free of charge, both local and regional and all others…,” Boyea added.

“It was really a good effort by everybody involved. It is not too often something like this happens. It is a really good impression for people on the outside looking in and could say that St Vincent could put their differences aside and pull for one good cause,” he added.

The other organizers of the show were music producer, Alex “Kubiyashi” Barnwell and reigning soca monarch Gamal “Skinny Fabulous”Doyle.

On February 1, thousands of patrons gathered at the Victoria Park in support of the concert, which saw local and regional soca artistes in action.