By Kandre' McDonald, Freelance Reporter
Shaggy
REGGAE RECORDING star Shaggy, born Orville Burrell, has done it again. However, this time around 'Mr. Boombastic' will not be collecting a Grammy award for his effort, but will be bringing hope to some children at the Bustamante Children Hospital.
The singer will be donating a steriliser machine to the operating theatre at the hospital, which is located on Arthur Wint Drive, St. Andrew.
The artiste, who has been donating cash and kind to the hospital annually for the past four years, will be presenting the steriliser machine today at 11 a.m. to the hospital. He will also be signing autographs and rapping with the children.
In the past the deejay gave the hospital US$28,000 to purchase a life-support machine. He has also sent a team to help in beautifying a park at the hospital.
In 2001 Shaggy also delivered on his promise and handed over his proceeds from his performance at 'Hotshots' to the hospital. The cheque, valued at US$25,000, was given to the hospital's administrators at the paediatric facility. The money was used to buy a ventilator to assist in the care of a particular age group of children.
Pansy Dixon, the public relation representative at Big Yard Music, Shaggy's recording company, said the deejay looks forward to doing this each year as his main charity programme.
She also noted that the multi-platinum selling artiste will be giving gifts to every child present at the hospital on his visit.
Efforts by The Gleaner to contact chief executive officer of Bustamante Hospital, Ms. Gloria Robinson, proved futile as she was not in office up to press time.
However, in a previous interview with The Gleaner, Ms. Robinson noted that she and the hospital staff, as well as the children, were grateful for Shaggy's contributions and hinted that she hoped more entertainers would take a page from his book: "...we felt very good and proud knowing that Shaggy believed so much in the preservation of life for our children. It would be good if more entertainers make similar contributions."
Shaggy has pledged to continue assisting the Bustamante Children's Hospital, the only paediatric hospital in the English-speaking Caribbean.
