Latest update April 18th, 2025 8:12 AM
Link Show cast gives $500,000 to Kids First Fund
Though a far cry from the US $78,140 needed to clear a bill in India for heart surgeries conducted on 12 Guyanese, among them children, the cast of Link Show 25 through the Theatre Company and Gems Theatre Production yesterday donated a $551,342 to Kids First Fund.
Gem Madhoo-Nascimento hands over a cheque to Varshnie Singh, Head of the Kids First Fund
The sum represents 99 percent of the talent fee from the actors, transportation cost, and waiver of VAT. However the Cultural Centre’s rental and surcharge were not waived.
Ron Robinson, a cast member said, “We thought that the best charity to start donations with, is the Kids First fund because we are pleased with the works being done to save the lives of many children. They deserve it.”
Former First Lady, Varshnie Singh, who is the patron of Kids First Fund, in receiving the donation, said the gesture would help the organization to realise its overall target. She expressed her gratitude to the cast.
She said that other fund-raising events have been done in England and plans are in train for grass track fundraisers.
All told, yesterday’s donation along with funds raised in the UK, has realised US$9,272. The Fund had deposited US $9,312 as an advance payment on the total amounts owed.
She said that her group has had promises of a telethon in Linden and Berbice. She also stated that the intentions to stage some grass track meets to raise fund.
She said KFF would also be seeking donations from the business community in Guyana New York and Canada.
The last group taken to India was the sixth batch of children under Kids First Fund’s “Heart 2 Heart – Save a Life” programme. Apart from 10 children, two adults were also taken for surgeries.
The “Heart 2 Heart – Save a Life” programme started in September 2005 when four children were taken to India. Dr. Cherian followed up by holding a free evaluation clinic in Guyana during November 2005 with his colleague Dr Pre Sekar.
As a result, approximately 300 adults and children were diagnosed as having cardiac complaints.
Since then, five batches have gone to India for surgery, 45 children and 14 adults.
Singh started the programme because there are no cardiologists or cardiac surgeons in Guyana.
The average cost of cardiac surgery in Trinidad, which is the nearest place for doing such a surgery, is US$20,000 – $25, 000. In Canada, the price goes up to CDN$ 60,000; in the United States the estimated cost is US$100,000 and in the UK the cost of 100,000 Pounds Sterling.
(Mondale Smith)
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