Bridgetown – The Royal Shop of Barbados has today announced the overwhelming success of its Gala Charity Event, which was hosted on Friday 7th December at the Radisson Aquatica Resort Barbados in partnership with the 2018 Mitsubishi Electric Rugby Barbados World 7s (MERBW7s) Tournament organisers and the Rotary Club of Barbados South. Its owners have proudly confirmed the impressive $20 000 BBD total proceeds raised from the evening will now significantly contribute towards helping our nation’s ‘at-risk’ youth.
Late last year, both local and international Gala attendees dug deep and kindly donated funds to enjoy an evening of entertainment by noted British BBC Sports Broadcaster and Wimbledon Commentator John Inverdale, delicious cocktails, and a three-course dinner; all to raise money for ‘at-risk’ youth, with part of the proceeds going to the Stephen Alleyne Sport for Life Programme. In fact, the event was such a success that it attracted additional donations from attendees and the Barbadian public to help support the nominated charity.
An exciting Charity Auction additionally boosted the financial contributions, featuring two quality stainless steel men's and women’s Movado watches donated by The Royal Shop. Other items up for sale included a signed Great Britain Olympic playing jersey donated by 2018 MERBW7s Tournament Ambassador and Olympian Heather Fisher, and a 2019 New Zealand All Blacks home jersey donated by the New Zealand High Commission to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean. Also enticing bidders was the chance to play a round of golf with John Inverdale at Apes Hill, two JetBlue flight certificates donated by JetBlue Vacations, and a signed copy of the book ‘My name is Doddie Weir’ donated by Scottish Rugby 7s Team ProjecX Waterboys.
The Royal Shop owners and co-Managing Directors, Mr and Mrs Thani, said they were delighted to lend their hand to supporting the Sport for Life Programme who aims to educate Barbadian youth in life skills, learning skills such as literacy and numeracy, sporting skills, and leadership development. "We are very happy that we can be a part of such a special initiative which uses sport to channel other developmental skills in our young people. Our youth are so important and their positive development is so important to us as a society, so wherever we can help we will extend our hands," they said.
The Charity was chosen by President of the Rotary Club of Barbados South, Vivian-Anne Gittens, who expressed her sincerest thanks on the evening through the Club’s representative Sonya Alleyne. “I wish to formally express our deepest gratitude and appreciation for Sport for Life being designated as the beneficiary of tonight’s Gala event. You cannot know the impact this donation will make on the lives of the participants in the programme which uses the power of sport to help children manage the educational, social, emotional or other challenges they face, and strive to reach their full potential in their school work, in sports, and lives generally. Your support allows our Club to continue to assist the most at-risk youth on our island,” she said.
The Charity Dinner component of the night was initiated in 2017 by the Local Organising Committee for the RBW7s Tournament, in conjunction with the Radisson Aquatica Resort, as an annual legacy project designed to benefit local charities. Manager of the RBW7s Local Organising Committee, George Nicholson, said this recent 2018 Charity Event was a perfect fit with their Tournament brand and with their vision to create a synergy between corporate Barbados and sports to bring forward positive social development for young people. “Sport is such a powerful tool which can assist the most at-risk youth in our society to realise their full potential, and we are pleased to be able to continue to support this event in collaboration with our valued partners and supporters. This event, combined with our RBW7s Tournament, allows the global rugby community and others to come together, play or watch some world-class Rugby, and support our local charitable organisations – all in the one week!” he said.
The Royal Shop is a luxury jewellery and watch supplier in Barbados, and an avid supporter of a variety of community projects within the Barbadian landscape. The Sport for Life Programme is also sponsored by the Sandy Lane Charitable Trust and is endorsed by the Ministry of Creative Economy, Culture and, Sports, the National Sports Council, ICC, the West Indies Cricket Board, and the Barbados Cricket Association.
This year’s 2019 RBW7s Tournament will be held at Kensington Oval on Friday December 13th and Saturday 14th December with action from some of the best Men’s and Women’s Club Rugby teams from across the globe. The date of the 2019 Charity event is to be confirmed. For more information, visit Facebook @royalshopbarbadosofficialpage or @BarbadosSevens.
Caption: RBW7s General Manager Brian Stollmeyer, guest speaker John Inverdale, Director of Youth and Past President of the Rotary Club of Barbados South Sonya Alleyne, The Royal Shop owner and Managing Director Hiranand Thani, RBW7s International Marketing Manager Graham Allen, Director of The Stephen Alleyne Sport For Life Programme Kathy Harper-Hall, Chair of The Stephen Alleyne Sport For Life Programme Brenda Pope, Mrs. Yolanda Alleyne (widow of Stephen Alleyne), and Manager of the RBW7s Local Organising Committee George Nicholson.
