By Teino Evans, Staff Reporter 
Singer Rik Rok (left) presents a gift of a fire truck to an elated Lincoln Beckford, one of the children at the Bustamante Children's Hospital, who received gifts yesterday. Santa looks on in the background. The annual donation of Christmas gifts to the hospital is organised by artiste Orville 'Shaggy' Burrell and Big Yard. - Rudolph Brown/ Chief Photographer
"A TRUE, Santa a come!" This was the expectant shout of a child at the Bustamante Children's Hospital yesterday afternoon, when members of the Big Yard family brought good cheers to the children there.
Many gifts (toy trucks, balls, dollies, etc.) were distributed to children on the different wards and a cheque for US$18,000 presented to the hospital for the upgrading of their oxygen system.
According to Senior Medical Officer for the Bustamante Children's Hospital, Dr. Sonia Thomas, the money would be used to upgrade the system and change the connections, as "the ones now in operation are old."
On hand to represent the Big Yard family were Rik Roc, Brian Gold, Nigel Lyn (Shaggy's stage manager) and Pansy Dixon, public relations manager, Big Yard.
According to Rik Roc, giving to charity was something that he had always wanted to do.
"We made it a Big Yard event this year and try to make the Christmas merrier. Sometimes you get caught up in your own little world and this is our little way of giving back," he said.
BLESSED
Brian Gold, who was also in the mix of handing out gifts to the youngsters, said it was a good feeling and he felt blessed to be there.
"Mi know di children dem feel good when dem wake up an see presents, and I hope this can lift their spirits," he said.
Indeed, children's spirits were lifted, as an overly excited Linton Beckford, eight, shouted "yea, yea, yea!" when he received his brand new fire truck. His left hand was in a cast.
Over the years, Shaggy and the Big Yard family have been very supportive of the Children's Hospital, as they have been donating in one form or another since 2001, totalling US$41,821.60 and J$500,000.
