The music fraternity continues to rally around veteran deejay Lieutenant Stitchie who suffered a brain haemorrhage in September.

On December 5 singer Richie Stephens presented a cheque for US$5,000 to his family.

Stephens made the presentation at his St Andrew home to Stitchie’s wife, Sophia Laing, to help with his medical expenses.

The funds were raised from a show Richie Stephens staged in Chicago, USA, on November 29 with the Good To Go Family.

In October, deejay Bounty Killer’s Bounty Foundation presented Stitchie’s family with a cheque for US$10,000 to assist in the 59 year-old artiste’s recovery.

At the time, his wife told the Jamaica Observer that while Stitchie has shown improvement he still requires extensive medical attention.

Richie Stephens, who celebrated his 58th birthday on December 5, said it is important artistes support each other in times of need. He added that Stitchie has been a close friend for nearly 40 years and encouraged him early in his career.

“I met Stitchie years ago when I went to live with my father in Spanish Town. I also met Papa San, Captain Barkey and Wickerman, Dirtsman, who is Papa San’s brother, and Anthony Redrose. Stitchie was one of dem artistes who gave me a lot of encouragement; is a good bredrin. I know him as a good person and, now that he is in this position, I think it’s only right for people like myself to step up and do what I can to help him,” Richie Stephens said.

Lieutenant Stitchie (real name Cleve Laing) was a major player on the competitive Spanish Town sound system circuit during the early 1980s, along with the aforementioned artistes. His mainstream breakthrough came in 1986 with the humorous Wear Yuh Size, which was followed by other radio-friendly hits such as Natty Dread and Big Broad Hips.

He recorded three albums for Atlantic Records, but left secular music in the late 1990s when he became a Christian. Stitchie has since recorded a number of gospel albums.