Help arrives for Hanover hospital, children's home

Noel Thompson, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

More than 40 Jamaicans residing in the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States flew into the island for the first annual Friends of Noel Holmes Hospital and the West Haven Children's Home Charity Ball, staged at the Grand Palladium Resort in Hanover last Saturday.

The attendees, all of whom were either born and raised or have roots in Hanover, are part of the Friends of the Noel Holmes Hospital and the West Haven Children's Home, who are in Jamaica to raise funds to assist with the development of both institutions.

For the past 13 years, the UK-based organisation has been holding annual fund-raising events in and around London to address some of the needs of the hospital, located in Lucea, and the Copse-based children's home. This year, however, its chair Gloria Leslie and her husband, Vice-Chair David Leslie, decided to stage the first event in Jamaica.

But what was seen as a mark of significant importance was the fact that citizens from 10 other countries in the Caribbean, Mauritius, as well as South Africa, who reside in London, travelled to Jamaica for the 2010 staging of the event.

Passionate about work

The Friends of Noel Holmes Hospital was conceptualised in 1998 when the Leslies returned to their hometown of Lucea and saw the needs that existed at the hospital.

"We decided to assist, first by donating curtains and maternity beds. Every year, we give to the hospital," said Mrs Leslie, a retired nurse.

Added Mr Leslie: "I support my wife 110 per cent. This is a lot of hard work. She is so passionate about her projects."

The Leslies emigrated to the UK 48 years ago.

Custos of Hanover, Dr David Stair, and mayor of Lucea, Lloyd Hill, specially recognised the group for its continued support for the projects in the parish.

"The Noel Holmes Hospital is not in good shape and Mrs Leslie has been a very special benefactor to that institution. As an individual, I can't think of any other single person who has donated as much to that institution as Gloria," said Stair.

Alluding to the fact that the Government cannot do everything, Stair cited that it was important that people like Mrs Leslie and her group had seen the need to volunteer their time, effort and finances to such a worthy cause.

"I urge everyone to follow the example set by the Leslies.

Meanwhile, Mayor Hill said he, too, was concerned about the state of the Noel Holmes Hospital and extended his appreciation to the group for supporting the fund-raising events annually.