George Town, Grand Cayman, :

The National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) is hosting its annual Radio-Telethon on Saturday 20th October. The fundraiser takes place at the Prospect Playhouse and is broadcast simultaneously on Radio Cayman and Cayman 27 from 7 pm to midnight. This is the largest fundraiser held by the NCVO each year, and money raised helps to maintain and operate the organisation which is one of Cayman’s longest running charities.

This year marks the 39th Radio-Telethon in which the NCVO hopes to raise upwards of its annual goal of CI$140,000. Corporate donations are encouraged, and the public is invited to phone in to make a pledge on the FLOW sponsored number 946-3136 or donate online at www.caymangiftcertficates.com.

“We have depended on our sponsors every year for close to four decades; staff at FLOW, Radio Cayman and Cayman 27 have always done a great job in helping to fundraise on our behalf, and for that we are grateful,” said Mona Meade, the NCVO Coordinator.

A time-honoured tradition of the five-hour broadcast is its hourly prize drawings. Many of Cayman’s leading retailers and restaurants gift the organisation with prizes as an incentive to those who pledge any amount. Those prizes include numerous gift certificates from popular stores, restaurants, attractions and beauty retailers around the island.

“The success of our Radio-Telethon is crucial to the survival of the NCVO’s programmes” explains Mrs. Meade. “We could not do it without the support from our corporate and retail sponsors; the show’s producer Eden Hurlston, the team at the Cayman Drama Society and of course all the performers,” she said.

Year after year, the NCVO has been fortunate to attract an outstanding level of talent who donate their time and talent in support of its seven programmes. Performances set for this year include Beniel Miller, Little Magic, Kate and Melody Allenger, an improv drum jam and back by popular demand, Hi Tide. These and lots of other great acts will entertain audiences throughout the live show while some of broadcast media’s most popular personalities will make appearances alongside this year’s hosts CIG TV20’s Donna Bush and Cayman 27’s Joe Avary.

Ms. Bush who has volunteered for many years encourages the public to watch or listen in. “The audience can definitely expect to watch and hear some of the best local talents, from our very diverse population,” said Ms. Bush.

“There are so many people who want to give, and this is such a seamless way to do just that. I honestly can’t think of a better way to give back to our community,” she added.

For more information or to donate to the NCVO before the Radio-Telethon, contact the NCVO at 949-2124 or [email protected].

Photo Captions

1.Melody Allenger accompanied by Sea N’ B’s Chuck Quappe
2.Musician and former radio personality, Roy Bodden performs at last year’s event
3.Butterfield staff taking pledges as volunteer telephonists
4.News producer, Reshma Ragoonath and actor, Matt Brown entertain the crowd
5.A Radio/Telethon tradition, Mrs. Joan Wilson recites her poetry

Established in 1974 the National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) is one of Cayman’s longest running non-profit organisations. It is dedicated to the care, education and well–being of children and families in need of support. The NCVO currently manages eight community-focused programmes;

The NCVO is an independent, non-profit, charitable organisation. The eight programmes currently run by the NCVO are:

Nadine Andreas Residential Foster Home which houses up to nine children in need of care and protection;
Aftercare Programme supports Foster Home residents who age out of care through assistance with accommodation, further education, and work experience.
Miss Nadine’s Pre-School which provides pre-school education and free meals for up to 65 students ages two to five year-olds;
Jack & Jill Nursery which provides care for infants at a manageable fee for families;
Caring Cousins Lunch Support Programme which provides daily meals for children at government school students across Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac;
New To You Bargain Shop is a community service programme which receives donations of lightly used goods. These items are in turn sold for low prices to generate income for NCVO programmes.
John Gray Memorial Fund which provides a grant to students abroad in need of supplementary funding;
NCVO Scholarship which provides a scholarships to secondary or tertiary education;