Powell spreads love to KPH
He said the email was directed to participants who may wish to travel for non-national team events such as seniors and super senior categories.
“The people who represent their country in the Hoerman Cup, there wasn’t a question of them funding themselves in the national teams,” he said.
In the past, the JGA covered the expenses for all or most of the travelling team members.
“The JGA pays, but people in those categories – seniors and super seniors – may be requested to part-fund themselves. When you add all the other groups, it is quite a large group,” he added.
“The association stands ready to assist with any fundraising activity undertaken by participants,” Sutherland also noted.
SPRINTING SUPERSTAR Asafa Powell took time to show his humanitarian side yesterday, donating $560,000 to help the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) purchase much-needed bed sheets.
There has been a reported need for more than 6,000 sheets between the KPH and Victoria Jubilee Hospital, with officials from the institutions noting that more than 2,000 sets are in dire condition.
The contribution was made through former 100m world record holder’s Asafa Powell Foundation (APF), with Powell himself handing over the $560,000 raised via an online #SpreadABed4KPH crowdfunding initiative.
Funds were raised via Indiegogo, while Powell contributed part of his personal funds from his participation in the last Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“I am really happy for the opportunity to show my support and give back to my country. We started a Spread A Bed funding for the hospital and I said I would match whatever donations were made. Some came out of my pocket and some were donated from the public,” Powell told the media before adding that he would continue his efforts to raise funds for the KPH and other charitable causes.
“The reception I got from people was really tremendous. I think we cut it off a bit early or else it would be even more,” he continued.
START OF A RELATIONSHIP
“We started a relationship here with the hospital, and we’ve been searching for a few places that the foundation would want to take under our wings, and I think KPH is one now and it’s the start of a new relationship, and, hopefully, it can be a yearly thing,” Powell said.
Powell was partly inspired by a personal experience to give back to KPH after his brother (Ricardo) received medical care there.
“It’s not only about helping my brother because he is no longer here. I mean this is where all of Jamaica comes when they are sick, so I am trying to help Jamaica and trying to give back to Jamaica through this process,” he stressed.
Ruel Rainford, deputy chief executive officer at KPH, said: “Well, Asafa wishes for it to be spent on linen. We are gonna have an initiative to purchase some wellneeded linen and have them installed on our wards.”
He added: “There is a great need for bed linen due to constant leakages in the system ... . Any support in that area is always good and needed.”
KPH will celebrate anniversary on December 14.
Dr Natalie Whylie, senior medical officer, expressed gratitude to Powell on behalf of the administrative, medical, nursing, paramedics staff as well as patients, describing his gift as “timely”. its 240th