Inter-services donate $20k to Why It Matters campaign

Today the Bermuda Police Service in partnership with The Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service, The Bermuda Regiment and the Department of Corrections presented the Bermuda Hospitals Charitable Trust with a cheque for $20,480.00 to benefit the “Why it Matters” campaign.

This announcement is made following the Inter-Service Golf Tournament held on Friday, October 25th, 2013, which had the charitable aim of supporting the redevelopment of the hospital. An idea to revive a charitable golf tournament was originally conceived by Deputy Commissioner of Police Mike Jackman and former Chief Fire Officer Vincent Hollinsid. Bermuda Police and Fire & Rescue were quickly joined by the Regiment and Corrections whose representatives formed the organizing committee.

The goal for the joint services golf tournament fundraiser was $20,000.00. Mr. Jackman said: “We have made our target and we are thankful to all those who participated in and sponsored this event. It’s very important for all the Services to be involved in community work. The hospital is a very important part of our community... we’ll all need it at some point. The Services that were involved all believe in giving back to the community and gave their full support behind this tournament.”

Warrant Officer Martin Daley, who represented the Regiment on the organising committee of the tournament along with Regiment Captain Graham Benjamin, said: “When the Regiment was invited to take part in the organization of this event and to submit teams to participate, we were extremely keen to get involved along with our fellow Services. We normally support charitable events on the island and this was one viewed as an extremely important and worthy cause. Helping to organize this event, encourage our soldiers to participate and actively support the event builds on the camaraderie both in the Regiment and between the other services on the island.”

The Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service took the honours of the Inter-Service Golf Tournament thanks to one of their teams scoring 11 under par! The winning team consisted of: Kheary Swan, Colin Swan, Allen Wilkinson and Mark Ray.

Fire service spokesman Lieutenant Leonard Davis said: “The Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service gladly seized the opportunity to work alongside other emergency and essential services for such a worthy cause. These services have also aligned themselves with the concept of “Why it Matters” because it’s about people, all people. We understand the meaning of “Why it Matters” every time we respond to an emergency medical call and feel it is our duty to be involved. The care and assistance required to ensure that persons in this island are treated with the highest level of medical care and respect is the center of “Why it Matters”.

The Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service recognises that with the completion of the hospital, the people that we serve on a daily basis will get the best care possible as it will be a facility that we will all be proud of.  It is also gratifying to know that we have contributed, which gives a sense of pride that we the people can come together and have fun while helping to raise funds for such a worthy cause. The Services worked together and strengthened our relationships with each other. We recognize that these strong relationships will go a long way in ensuring that the people of Bermuda are served with emergency services that continue to provide professional and united emergency services that responds to the needs of the community.”

On behalf of the organizing committee, Mr. Jackman would like to thank all who helped to make this event a success. Special thanks to the primary sponsors: TBI, HSBC, East End Group, and Auto Solutions. Additional sponsors and supporters included: The Marketplace, BELCO, Rush Hour Electric, James Water Service, Top Choice Fisheries, KPMG, Cablevision, Digicel, Dunkley’s Dairy, BTC, Bda Fire and Security Service, ACE Group, BF & M, Burrows and Lightbourne, Golf Etc. League, Newstead, The Reefs, BNTB, Worldview Travel, Port Royal, Ocean View, Mid Ocean and, our hosts, Riddell’s Bay.

“It is my hope that this golf tournament becomes an annual event and that the Services can continue to raise funds to support charitable organizations in the community.”

Mr. Philip Butterfield, Chairman of the Bermuda Hospitals Charitable Trust, commends the Uniformed Services for reviving the golf tournament tradition and adding a charitable element. “Our thanks go to the organizing committee for their hard work in bringing the Services together in support of such a nationally significant cause. Their joint effort underscores the commitment of the Uniformed Services to our community as a whole.”

Congratulations to the winning teams: 1st place – Bda Fire & Rescue, 2nd place – Bda Police, 3rd place – Dept. of Immigration, 4th place – TBI, 5th place – Bda Police, 6th place – Bda Fire & Rescue.