Premier League donates US$100,000 to hurricane victims

The Premier League, the highest tier of association football in England, has donated US$100,000 to Caribbean hurricane victims.

The donation was made through the Cable & Wireless Charitable Foundation, a charitable entity that was founded last week with US$500,000 and with the main aim of offering support to hurricane ravaged countries.

CEO of Cable & Wireless Communications (parent company of FLOW) John Reid said that a number of the company’s international partners are joining the call for support and the first to respond was the Premier League.

“We are delighted by the amazing response we’ve had from our partners in such a short period of time. In less than seven days, as well as the fantastic donation from the Premier League, we’ve seen wonderful contributions from other partners, including One Caribbean TV, Anixter, Sigma, Emida, Nelson Mullings, and Next IT, with more committing to funds and fund-raising targets,” said Reid.

He added, “While many in the Caribbean continue to suffer in literal darkness, it is inspiring to see that so many are also eager to help.”

Premier League executive chair Richard Scudamore, speaking on their contribution, said, “The Premier League and English football have long connections with the Caribbean and there are many fans of Premier League clubs across the region. Having seen the devastation caused by the recent hurricanes, and read and heard about the many people who are suffering as a result, we felt it was right to support the efforts of the Cable & Wireless Charitable Foundation that is aiding the relief and recovery initiatives.” 

Marketing and communications officer at FLOW SVG Nikala Williams said on Monday that the Cable & Wireless Charitable Foundation was established as an immediate response to the devastation left by recent hurricanes across the Caribbean. 

She explained that the Foundation will initially serve as a fundraising hub, disbursing monies raised to recognized local, regional and international charitable agencies to execute projects in affected territories.

To date, the fund-raising drive has raised over 50 per cent of the Foundation’s target of an additional US$500,000 to match the seed funding C&W originally donated.

Reid also emphasized that as part of the fund-raising and relief drive, he is extremely proud of the employee response, as employees are participating in a voluntary internal payroll donation campaign across all markets, as well as contributing canned goods, personal care products and non-perishable items that continue to be airlifted to impacted markets.

In addition, parent company Liberty Global has launched their “In Givers” campaign and will match employee donations across all its operating companies worldwide.