One of the island’s most generous charitable organisations wants discourse with the Mia Mottley administration.
So says chairman Robert Bourque of the Broadway to Barbados Charitable Trust (BBCT), which has donated more than $2.5 million in equipment and assistance to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) over the years.
This comes after its annual fundraising show, Broadway to Barbados, was postponed earlier this year after what it said was a delayed response from the Barbados Revenue Authority (BRA) about its application for a Value Added Tax (VAT) exemption certificate.
As a result, the Trust was unable to secure a date at the Frank Collymore Hall because the Ministry of Finance did not approve the VAT request.
On Friday, Robert Bourque said the BBCT was hoping that the new government would partner with it for the next show.
Bourque said given the government changed hands recently, he was giving it time to settle in, but had plans to write to.
Equipment donated
He was speaking to the media at the Human Resources Conference Room at the QEH after the Trust and the Massy Foundation each donated $175 000 to supply equipment, including a bronchoscope, to the Respiratory Unit.
BBCT was formed in 2011 with a goal of donating $2.5 million in assistance to the state hospital.
It has since surpassed that figure through the donation of equipment like an ultrasound machine, a Nihon Kohden monitor to the Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit, training for nurses and supply packs over the years.
The charity has also received a five-year $100 000 commitment from CIBC First Caribbean to supply other equipment to the hospital.
All proceeds from the annual show went to the QEH. (TG)
