HELP JA Children, the advocacy campaign planning the child rights march and rally set for Tuesday May 1 is asking the public for donations to support the event. Chief Advocate Brandon Allwood says the campaign needs the help to meet financial obligations for the event.

“There is a budget associated with this event and the response from corporate Jamaica so far has been less than encouraging. Some have even gone as far as saying that Help JA Children doesn’t fall within their strategic objectives. It’s an obstacle we will overcome with the help of the Jamaican people,” Allwood said.

He praised the Wisynco Group and Trade Winds Citrus for their response and noted that both companies will be providing refreshments. Allwood made public that the British Caribbean Insurance Company (BCIC), is the third company to partner with Help JA Children, by providing the necessary public liability insurance needed for the event to happen.

“Wisynco, Trade Winds Citrus and BCIC are currently our only partners, and while we would love if corporate Jamaica really embrace the march and rally it’s not something we will leave to chance. So we are asking Jamaica to help us by donating whatever they can,” he said.

With the assistance of Scotiabank, Help JA Children has opened an account housed at the bank’s New Kingston offices. People may make donations at any branch of Scotiabank across the island or online using the banks e-banking platform. The name of the account is “Help JA Children”, and the account number is 803605. The branch number is 50575.

“ALL donations will go DIRECTLY to funding the costs of hosting the march and rally as well as the future work of Help JA Children. The time has come for us to call Jamaicans to action in the fight to keep our children safe,” Allwood remarked.

Help JA Children was founded after an article was published in the media, giving Jamaicans a chilling reminder of the dire circumstances that many Jamaican children face. The article said that children as young as four have been treated in heinous cases of sexual abuse.

The march will begin at the Bustamante Hospital for Children and make its way to Emancipation Park at which there will be a rally, featuring speakers from various stakeholders involved in the care and protection of children. Persons may participate by simply showing up, or by registering at helpjachildren.fikket.com.