On Saturday (25) night the National Council of Voluntary Organisations’ (NCVO) 35th annual radio/telethon raised a record $138,000 at The Prospect Playhouse.

The NCVO is a non-profit, charitable organisation that is dedicated to the care, education and well-being of children and families in need of support in the Cayman Islands.

Projects run by the organisation include: The Nadine Andreas Residential Foster Home, “Miss Nadine’s” Pre-School, Jack & Jill Nursery, The Caring Cousins Welfare Fund and The John Gray Fund.

There were many acts to entertain the watching public at home through the live five hour coverage by CITN/Cayman27 and for the many people present at the theatre where the event took place.

Entertainers included Terri Quappe, Gone Country, Quincy Brown, Barefoot Man, Andy Martin, Trinity, Gordon Solomon, Heat, J.R. Douglas, Swanky, Cook Skool Jazz, David Verhoeven, Sea N’ B, Funk Republic and our very own Joan Wilson who read two of her poems – “The Goldfield” and one dedicated to the long time champion of the NCVO “Miss Olive” (Olive Miller). M’s Wilson has been performing at the Telethon from its very first televised performance in 1992 and not missed one.

Janice Wilson, chief executive officer of the NCVO, said everyone involved, including the entertainers, presenters and television crews, had given their time for free to ensure there was no cost in putting on the event, and every cent went to good causes.

She also told iNews Cayman that although the Radio/Telethon reached 138k donations were still coming in, “so I’m confident we will hit our target of $140k”. She added, “Thanks so much to all those who volunteered, donated and in anyway supported the NCVO telethon. The pledges were still being totaled as we wrapped up and are still coming in I’m delighted to announce that we raised an incredible CI $138,000!!!”

The entertainment was organised and produced by Chuck and Barrie Quappe who deserve much praise for their hard work and also to the Cayman Drama Society for donating the theatre for the evening, and to CITN and Radio Cayman for their free broadcasting.

There is still time to donate, contact Janice Wilson at the NCVO on 949-2124, 525-3976 or [email protected]

IMAGES: From CITN live broadcast