Five Barbados organisations are better equipped to assist Barbadians as a result of the funds donated by ICBL this past Thursday at the Company's headquarters on Roebuck Street.

The presentations were made to The Barbados Cancer Society, The Heart and Stroke Foundation, The Salvation Army, all traditional recipients of the past, and The Diabetes and Hypertension Association and The Variety Children's Club, both new additions for 2024. 

In his welcome remarks, ICBL's CEO, Goulbourne Alleyne, addressed the difficulties many Barbadians were facing on a day-to-day basis and the overwhelming health challenges affecting the society. "While Barbados has seen improved economic gains in the past year, there are pockets of our
Community that continue to struggle every day. Two key contributing factors to this situation are the cost of living and the increased cost of health care," he said.

Alleyne further asserted: "This is not akin to Barbados only but remains a worldwide issue. These circumstances are not within our control, but as a corporate entity, we can make a difference, no matter how small, with the donations we deliver today. Our goal is two-fold in this respect, in that we have chosen to provide support to the most vulnerable of the Community and also provide to the institutions that supply, research and cater to the many Barbadians suffering from non-communicable diseases that are rampant in our society."

Alleyne explained that the financially struggling citizens in Barbados, and the spiraling uptick in non-communicable diseases called for a consistent response from corporate Barbados, embracing the ideal of meaningful corporate social responsibility.

In thanking the organisations for their dedication, Alleyne said: "Your commitment to treating, educating, researching, and providing comfort to the many Barbadians facing serious health challenges and non-communicable diseases is commendable. These issues are currently overwhelming our health system at an alarming rate. Thank you for your dedication and hard work, and we proudly support your valuable endeavours today."

Presentations were made to Greta Yearwood, Chief Executive officer, Heart and Stroke Foundation; Major Robert Pyle, Divisional Commander, Barbados Salvation Army; Dr Stephanie Date, Honorary Secretary of the Barbados Cancer Society; Richard Alleyne, First Vice President Diabetes and Hypertension
Association, and Ryan Jones, President of the Variety Children’s Charity.