CHARITY gala ‘For The Children’, hosted by the Issa Trust Foundation, far exceeded its lofty goal of US$200,000 by raising a whopping US$417,000.

The event, held at Sony Hall in New York City on Saturday, is aimed at raising funds to build a health centre in Richmond Estates, St Ann.

“We were extremely pleased. Direct Relief, one of our amazing partners for the last seven years, donated US$200,000,” Diane Pollard, president of the foundation, told the Jamaica Observer.

Ground breaking for the paediatric and adolescent health-care centre is scheduled to take place in early 2023.

In a previous interview, Pollard said there was a dire need for a health facility of that kind in St Ann.

“The facility will fill a critical health-care gap in the St Mary and St Ann parishes by providing primary care for children and adolescents in an atmosphere that engages both patients and families in multifaceted, holistic services that address physical, mental, and social support needs. In addition to offering preventative and curative paediatric care and adolescent services, the centre plans to operate specialty clinics such as cardiac, nephrology, gastroenterology, mental health support, oncology, vision, and hearing tests. The centre will also serve children and adolescents from other regions on the island, as well as offer rotation programmes for US doctors to partner with local Jamaican doctors. We will also provide free eye exams, make our glasses at the clinic, and provide the glasses at no cost,” she explained at the time.

‘For The Children’ charity gala was headlined by veteran reggae group Third World, whom, Pollard said, gave an exceptional and well-received performance.

“Everything about Third World’s performance is always outstanding and amazing. Their music captures the audience and engages everyone attending,” she said.

Leon and the Peoples band and DJ Norie were also on the bill.

The event was held under the distinguished patronage of Member of Parliament Juliet Holness, and under the auspices of the consul general of Jamaica, New York, Alison Roach Wilson.

Formed in 1973, Third World is a nine-time Grammy-nominated band and is known for hits like Try Jah Love, 96 Degrees In The Shades, Now That We Found Love, and Roots With Quality.

The Issa Trust Foundation was established in 2005 by Couples Resorts as a non-profit organisation. The mission of the foundation is to provide a system of prevention, health promotion and education, community health improvement and other services to promote the well-being and development of the Jamaican people.

The previous fund-raising concerts — held in 2017 and which featured Air Supply and Tessanne Chin, and in 2019 featuring Air Supply, Third World, and Koffee — raised funds for the paediatric ward at St Ann’s Bay Hospital and for programmes undertaken by the foundation.