Lottery fully engaged in COVID-19 battle

The Barbados Lottery has reaffirmed its commitment to help protect Barbadians from the deadly COVID-19 virus with recent donations of PPEs and sanitisation products to fifteen organizations including service, educational and youth-based institutions across the island.

The targeted series of donations which occurred between January and April largely benefited the nation’s youth who have now resumed face-to-face learning, sports organizations, the medical fraternity and the homeless community.

At least six educational institutions were among the fifteen entities that received contributions from The Barbados Lottery. They included: The Learning Centre (home to one of IGT’s ASA computer centres), St. Giles Primary School PTA, Pro Shottas Soccer School, Bayley’s Primary, Hilda Skeene Primary and Gordon Walters Primary schools.

Principal of The Learning Centre Arlene Arthur thanked The Barbados Lottery for its kind gifts.
“Thank you for your generous gift to The Learning Centre. We are thrilled to have your support through your donation of PPE equipment which will go a long way in keeping our school safe. For this, we are extremely grateful.”

Gretchen Bailey-Jones, principal of Gordon Walters Primary School, noted the drastic disruption that the pandemic has caused in children’s ability to interact with each another at school.

“I could never imagine that students would be unable to socialise and enjoy each other’s company in the same manner that we did while at school. COVID-19 has changed the way in which the entire world operates; social distancing, wearing of masks and continuous sanitisation of hands have become the new norm,” Bailey-Jones observed.

She continued: “This donation of Personal Protective Equipment will supplement the amount provided by the Ministry of Education. We appreciate this kind gesture and l wish to say thank you to IGT Global Services Limited, managers of The Barbados Lottery, on behalf of the entire Gordon Walters Primary School family.”

Sporting bodies and lottery beneficiaries such as the National Sports Council, The Barbados Turf Club, Barbados Olympic Association and the Barbados Cricket Association have also received and benefited from the donations of protective and cleaning supplies.

CEO of The Barbados Turf Club Rosette Peirce said: “Due to the large number of persons who frequent the Garrison and with whom we come into contact on a daily basis, the use of proper protective gear and sanitizer are paramount to keeping our industry safe and we very much welcome this donation which we will put to good use.”

She added: “The Barbados Turf Club and the entire racing fraternity are extremely appreciative of the generosity and general consideration which the team at The Barbados Lottery continues to demonstrate in all areas.”

Director of Sport at The National Sports Council Neil Murray noted that the donated items came at a significant time when the country was impacted by the hazardous respiratory effects of the La Soufriere volcanic eruption in St. Vincent as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The National Sports Council is very grateful for the supply of PPEs donated by our partners IGT Global Services (The Barbados Lottery), as their use went a long way towards helping to protect staff at our various locations against the coronavirus pandemic as well as the volcanic ash from the La Soufriere eruption,” he said.

Also expressing gratitude for donations were Glyne Clarke, general manager of The Barbados Olympic Association, president of The Barbados Cancer Society, Dr. Dorothy Cooke-Johnson, Cally Boyea, CEO of The Barbados Diabetes Foundation and Kemar Saffrey, president of Barbados Alliance To End Homelessness, as well as the Barbados Cricket Association.

Ferdinand Lord, Site Operations Manager, The Barbados Lottery, noted: “IGT and The Barbados Lottery remain committed to improving the quality of life of our youths and the citizenry of Barbados.

This has been demonstrated in our response to the current COVID-19 crisis impacting all in our society. Our decision to donate these well-needed items to the respective groups solidifies our commitment to making positive contributions towards the educational advancement of our youth, sports development in our society and protecting our healthcare workers and the most vulnerable within our population.” (PR)