A $20,000 injection

The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados (HSFB) has received a major boost to assist them with pulling off a fundraising event.

The Corporate and Commercial Credit Division of Consolidated Finance Co. Limited recently signalled its commitment to advancing heart health along with financial wealth in Barbados with a $20,000 sponsorship donation to the HSFB.

During a press conference at One Welches, Welches, St Thomas today, President and Chief Executive Officer of Consolidated Finance Co. Limited, Rolf Phillips, announced its platinum sponsorship of Different Strokes-The Polo Edition, a charity polo match and fundraising event hosted by the foundation in association with the Barbados Polo Club at the Holders Polo Field, Holders, St James on Sunday, April 28, from 3 p.m.

Phillips said Consolidated Finance was proud to be associated with the worthy cause, as far too many people took their health and health-related issues for granted.

“When we were approached to partner on this venture, it was a relatively straightforward decision because we as a merchant bank, place great emphasis on the wellness and safety of our staff and customers. We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with such an august foundation while highlighting an important message,” Phillips said.

Head of Corporate and Commercial Credit at Consolidated Finance Darrel Wilson confirmed that with the company’s expansion into the corporate and commercial market space, Consolidated Finance has signalled its commitment to Barbados and the rejuvenation of its economy.

“While the event theme, in part, is ‘heart health and financial wealth in Barbados’ the Corporate & Commercial Credit division of Consolidated Finance is both ready and able to support ordinary Barbadians with respect to achieving the latter objective,” Wilson said.

Meanwhile, HSFB’s Senior Vice-President and Fundraising Committee Chair Ena Harvey thanked and saluted Consolidated Finance and its parent company ANSA Merchant Bank Limited, for their leadership in corporate social responsibility and overwhelming financial support. She also acknowledged the generous support of the Barbados Polo Club for its organisation of the day’s polo matches and offer to donate 50 per cent of its net proceeds from the event to the foundation.

“The incidence of strokes among Barbadian women is now outstripping the incidence among men. With national obesity rates reaching crisis levels, impacting workplace productivity and national economic well-being, it is valuable for HSFB to partner more with corporate Barbados to heighten awareness of the early warning signs and acute symptoms of heart and stroke disease among working adults as well as the general public,” Harvey said.

The foundation’s CEO, Michelle Daniel indicated that Different Strokes-The Polo Edition has been planned as the first in a series of sport-themed charity events to raise awareness of the lesser known symptoms of stroke while raising funds for the foundation’s public awareness and heart health management programme.

“In addition to distributing useful tips on heart and stroke disease prevention, we will serve up two exciting polo matches, family-friendly entertainment with Annie The Clown and a like DJ, and heart-healthy food and drink,” Daniel said as she thanked the Embassy of the Argentine Republic.