Red Foundation starts ‘Walking the Talk’

by David Hinkson

The COVID-19 pandemic has left many Barbadian families who might have been struggling before in an even more dire state as they have been faced with challenges relating to their employment, whether they were laid off or have ended up working reduced hours.

With this in mind, Cultural Ambassador and prominent calypsonian Stedson “Red Plastic Bag (RPB)” Wiltshire’s Red Foundation kicked off their virtual fundraiser Walk the Talk – Walk as One last Sunday morning, and the first leg took RPB on a journey from East Point, St. Philip to the Grantley Adams International Airport.

These walks, which will take the calypsonian from St. Philip to St. Lucy, are part of an effort to raise funds to help Barbadian families in need as the holiday season draws near.

well-known colleagues from the entertainment fraternity, including Adrian Clarke, Anderson Mr Blood Armstrong and Mac Fingall, joined him, along with all the Members of Parliament representing the parish. MP for St. Philip North, Dr Sonia Browne, participated at the start of the event, while St. Philip West MP and Minister of Culture John King, and MP for St. Philip South and Minister of Agriculture, Indar Weir, joined the route later on.

Speaking at the end of the event, Red Plastic Bag said he was happy with the response and that the Members of Parliament for the parish came out to support the effort.

“It was an absolute pleasure to have my wwSt. Philip people walking with me. We had Dr Browne at the start, we had Minister King and Minister Weir; it was really a fun walk.

“We really enjoyed having them with us, and it only goes to show they support what we are doing and understand the importance of being our brother’s keeper.”

King described the walk as “awesome” and while he joined it relatively late this time around, he stated that “next time I will be there from the beginning to the end.” Weir said, “It is important because a lot of people in Barbados are under tremendous pressure.

The struggle is really on, so I really salute RPB for putting on this walk and coming to the assistance of these people.

“Normally, I would be in bed at this time, perhaps with a book, but I really enjoyed it and I am willing to take the journey all the way to St. Lucy!”

Meanwhile, the Cultural Ambassador stated that as part of the effort, “The Red Foundation will be setting up barrels at Emerald City and Carlton and A1 Supermarkets, and Massy Stores where people can donate items, and we have also started a GoFundMe page set up in the name ‘Red Foundation’.”

In observation of COVID-19 protocols, Wiltshire will Walk the Talk alone, but will challenge celebrities, politicians and other public figures to go part of the distance with him.

Barbadians can join in on the virtual walk through the Facebook and Instagram pages of the Red Foundation at @redfoundationbarbados and are encouraged to give generously either at the end of each leg of the walk, through www.kellmart.com, or they can donate to the Red Foundation account at Republic Bank.

Walk the Walk – Walk As One continues next Sunday, November 15th at 6 a.m. with the second leg going from the Grantley Adams International Airport to Sky Mall. (DH)