Mutabaruka has put members of the private sector on notice, telling them to be prepared to step up with additional donation if Shaggy and Friends fail to meet the $100 million target.

“It is one of the better initiatives in Jamaica right now,” Mutabaruka said, while on a tour of the Bustamante Hospital for Children yesterday, one day before the 2018 staging of Shaggy and Friends in St Andrew today.

Organizers of the biannual charity concert, Shaggy and Friends, have expressed the hope of raising $100 million from the show.

Shaggy, an internationally acclaimed artist, said: “Whether or not we make a million or $500,000, to me, it is all about the commitment.”

vital equipment

Through his Make A Difference Foundation, the entertainer has used those funds to purchase hundreds of pieces of vital equipment for the children’s hospital. This year, the aim is to raise money to purchase equipment for the Intensive Care Unit at the hospital.

“Me just a hope that if you don’t get the desired amount that the private sectors will increase it to the point weh is not necessarily to do certain things because yuh (Shaggy) a get old now,” Mutabaruka said.

“So if a really $500,000, mek the private sector see that and seh we will double that,” he added.

The Shaggy Make A Difference Foundation said yesterday that platinum and gold tickets, sold for $30,000 and $14,000, respectively, have been completely sold out. Silver tickets, which are going for $7,000, are still available.

Today’s show, which is scheduled to start at 7 p.m., will see performances from the likes of Aidonia, Ding Dong, Christopher Martin, Wyclef Jean, Dexta Daps, Capleton, Shenseea, Junior Reid, and Sting.

Wyclef Jean said that he is going to give US$25,000 (J$3.1 million) towards the cause, and will try to get even three or more of his friends to contribute.