EIGHT THOUSAND DOLLARS in just over two weeks.
That’s how much money was raised for the Challenor Creative Arts and Training Centre received from funds collected through the Challenor Ice Bucket Challenge.
Yesterday, Basil Yarde Jr presented the cash to care officer at the centre, Sheldene Applewaite, and the board’s vice-chairman James Paul.
Yarde, who spearheaded the effort, said the majority of the donations came from the average individual who just undertook the challenge or was just caring enough to help out.
“We as Barbadians need to stop looking and saying somebody else will deal with that; but need to step up and help when we can, where we can and how we can,” he said, adding there were other causes in need of assistance.
Yarde initially started a collection drive for the centre when he met Applewaite via Facebook and she told him about some of the challenges the school was experiencing.
However, Yarde, who resides in Boston, said he was returning on Monday. Cash donations can be made to RBC Broad Street branch of RBC, Account No. 4654281, or cheques can be directed to the centre.
Applewaite said the school was faced with termite infestation, inadequate fencing to secure the property, rotting palm trees at risk of falling and damaging the structures, and general lack of resources to adequately cater to the children’s needs.
