C&W partners with EPL for hurricane relief
JUST ONE week after the launch of the Cable & Wireless Charitable Foundation to provide relief to Caribbean countries devastated by recent hurricanes, major local, regional and international partners are joining the call for support.
One of the first to respond was the English Premier League with a donation of US$100,000.
According to John Reid, CEO of Cable & Wireless Communications (C&W), the response by the company’s partners has been no less than emphatic.
“We are delighted by the amazing response we’ve had from our partners in such a short period of time. In less than seven days, as well as the fantastic donation from the Premier League, we’ve seen wonderful contributions from other partners, including One Caribbean TV, Anixter, Sigma, Emida, Nelson Mullings, and Next IT with more committing to funds and fundraising targets. While many in the Caribbean continue to suffer in literal darkness, it is inspiring to see that so many are also eager to help.”
LONG CONNECTIONS
Speaking on their contribution, Richard Scudamore, Premier League executive chairman, said, “The Premier League and English football have long connections with the Caribbean and there are many fans of Premier League clubs across the region.
“Having seen the devastation caused by the recent hurricanes, and read and heard about the many people who are suffering as a result, we felt it was right to support the efforts of the Cable & Wireless Charitable Foundation that is aiding the relief and recovery initiatives.”
The Cable & Wireless Charitable Foundation was established by C&W, a Liberty Global company, as an immediate response to the devastation left by recent hurricanes across the Caribbean.
The foundation will initially serve as a fundraising hub, disbursing monies raised to recognised local, regional and international charitable agencies to execute projects in affected territories. C&W recently announced ShelterBox and Rotary International as the first two organisations to receive grants under the newly established foundation with the purpose of providing immediate relief support and then longerterm rebuilding and recovery activities.
To date, the fundraising drive has raised more than 50 per cent of the foundation’s target of an additional US$500,000 to match the seed funding C&W originally donated.
Reid also emphasised as part of the fundraising and relief drive that he is extremely proud of the employee response. C&W employees are participating in a voluntary internal payroll donation campaign across all markets, as well as contributing canned goods, personal-care products and non-perishable items that continue to be airlifted to impacted markets. In
addition, parent company Liberty Global has launched their ‘In Givers’ campaign and will match employee donations across all its operating companies worldwide.
Having seen the devastation caused by the recent hurricanes ... we felt it was right to support the efforts of the Cable & Wireless Charitable Foundation.