Thursday, September 24 2009

FirstCaribbean Inter-national Bank has made the first contribution to the rebuilding fund for the St Jude’s Hospital in St Lucia, which was severely damaged by fire recently.

Describing the St Jude’s Hospital tragedy as one that touched the bank at a personal level, FirstCaribbean International has moved to rally behind the hospital and the surrounding community to help with the the rebuilding effort. To this end, the bank, a member of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) group of companies, has established an account named the St Jude’s Hospital Rehabilitation Fund.

Expressing the sympathy of the management and employees of the bank across the region to the St Lucia Prime Minister Stephenson King, chairman Michael Mansoor launched the fund with a contribution of EC$200,000. Describing the hospital as an enduring community landmark, St. Lucia’s Country Head for FirstCaribbean, Mauricia Thomas-Francis, recalled that it was not a month ago that FirstCaribbean initiated an effort to make some enhancements to the St Jude’s Hospital through its Community Outreach Programme, which would see the refurbishment of a space within the hospital to create a private room at the facility.

“It is our hope that not just St Lucians at home, but those abroad and more so those with deep-rooted ties to the town of Vieux Fort, will recall the significant difference the St Jude’s Hospital made in providing medical services here since its establishment,” she said.

In his response, the Prime Minister expressed his deep appreciation for the quick action and the start-up contribution, on behalf of the hospital and the people of St Lucia.