THE Rotary Club of Trafalgar New Heights has transformed proceeds from an elegant afternoon of tea and fellowship held earlier this year into support for health care and education.

The Kingston-based club of young professionals used the money raised from its annual tea party, An Afternoon in Bloom, held in April, to purchase and donate three Medline mobile aneroid blood pressure monitors to the Bellevue Hospital — the country’s only mental health hospital.

A portion of the funds was also provided to Maverley Primary and Infant School’s breakfast programme, a community and institution the club has adopted over the past decade.

The contribution helped to ensure students received a nutritious start to the school day. Funds raised were also used to finance Labour Day activities at the Vouch Group of Schools at Heroes’ Circle in central Kingston, which it undertook in partnership with Kiwanis in May.

The donation to Bellevue Hospital has helped address a pressing need at the country’s only public psychiatric hospital, where limited resources continue to challenge the delivery of care. The mobile blood pressure monitors are providing clinicians with reliable bedside monitoring, supporting with timely assessments, and improving the efficiency of care at the hospital.

Immediate past president of the Rotary Club of Trafalgar New Heights Franchesca Francis, under whose oversight the money was raised and earmarked, said the donation underscores the club’s commitment to supporting mental wellness, a cause that remains central to its agenda.

“Mental health is an essential part of overall health, yet it is often one of the most overlooked areas of care,” she pinpointed.

“It is our hope that this donation contributes, in a meaningful way, to improving the quality of care for some of our nation’s most vulnerable citizens,” added Francis.

Accepting the equipment recently, CEO of the Bellevue Hospital Suzette Buchanan said they will assist in providing enhanced care to patients.

“Although these seemingly small pieces of everyday equipment may seem insignificant, the impact will be direct and substantial, as patients need to be monitored carefully when on psychiatric medication.

“These specific machines are highly accurate and reliable so that our practitioners can effectively monitor patients’ cardiovascular responses,” said Buchanan.

Current president of the Rotary Club of Trafalgar New Heights Junior Buchanan said the club remains steadfast in its commitment to serving children in vulnerable communities through initiatives that foster healthy development and their resilience.

He noted that beyond health care, the club continues to invest in initiatives that strengthen families and communities.

The president pointed out that the club’s Labour Day project at Vouch Group of Schools improved the learning environment for young children in the central Kingston community, while supporting the breakfast programme at Maverley Primary and Infant School helped ensure children are better prepared to learn each day.

The club will hand over various food supplies bought with the funds and donated by club members and friends of the club on October 23.

“Our focus is on creating opportunities for children and young people in vulnerable communities to succeed by supporting their education, well-being, and development. Whether we are helping to improve schools, ensuring children have a nutritious breakfast, or advancing mental wellness through partnerships with institutions like Bellevue Hospital, our goal is to uplift communities in ways that create lasting impact,” said the president.

“We are committed to these communities for the long term, because meaningful change is built through consistent service,” he added.

Women of the Rotary Club of Trafalgar New Heights (from left) Dr Tiffany Hunter; Franchesca Francis; Thriecia Tyndale; Dr Suzanne McDonald Fowles; Debra-Ann Matthews; and past president and coordinator of the tea party, dubbed An Afternoon in Bloom, Janelle Pantry-Coke showcase their radiance and style at the event, which was held to raise funds for the purchase of blood pressure monitors for Bellevue Hospital, support the Labour Day Project at Vouch Group of Schools at Heroes’ Circle, and provide supplies for Maverley Primary and Infant School’s breakfast programme.