Leighton Levy, Gleaner Writer – //// –

While thousands gathered on the lawns of Jamaica House on January 7 to witness another series of great performances at the Shaggy and Friends Charity Concert, a smaller gathering assembled in a much smaller space not that far away to share in the special occasion.

The thousands who gathered, some of whom spent as much as $25,000 per ticket, witnessed stellar performances from entertainers that included I-Octane, Assassin, Tarrus Riley, Gyptian, Romaine Virgo, Tami Chynn and Wayne Marshall, as well as international acts Eve, Deniece Williams and Lauryn Hill.

Sharing in the occasion was a small gathering of about 70 persons, comprising staff and patients of the Bustamante Hospital for Children on Arthur Wint Drive.

At the medical facility that has benefited from the proceeds generated from the concerts over these past four years, a giant 12×14-foot screen was set up by telecommunications provider and concert sponsors, LIME, that, for the very first time, allowed the staff and patients to soak up some special moments from the concert.

Stephen Price, head of marketing at LIME, said in this the first year as one of the concert’s sponsors, they wanted to make the occasion even more special than ever before. “We really wanted the children of the hospital, who would not normally have the opportunity to see performances from the calibre of artistes that were on show, we wanted to make sure they had that experience,” he said. They did just that and, in doing so, elevated the value of the experience for the benefactors and the beneficiaries. “We created one of the most powerful moments at the concerts as people at the show were able to see the kids at the hospital watching the show with them. At one point, they waved to the kids and the kids waved back,” Price said.

According to Anthony Wood, chief executive officer at the hospital, the giant screen was set up between the nursery, wards four to six, and the medical wards. However, there was a cut off time of 10:30 p.m. Still, there was enough time for the comparatively small gathering to enjoy the performances. “The energy was good. They (the staff and the patients) were excited,” said Mr Wood, who added that the performances from mainly the local entertainers were well received. They also enjoyed the singing of long-time favourite Deniece Williams. “They were very excited by her performance,” Wood revealed.

The grateful CEO remarked that even though the staff and patients were unable to see the concert in its entirety the emotional connection they have with Shaggy would have heightened their appreciation for what has been happening over the past few years. “He is well respected by the community at Bustamante based on what he has been doing. That and the fact that he is a personable individual,” he said. “We are very appreciative. There are no words to express what he is doing.”