SIR SIDNEY POITIER DONATES TO HURRICANE FUND

October 15, 2004

            The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) announces that His Excellency Sir Sidney Poitier and his wife Joanna have agreed to donate twenty five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) to the National Hurricane Relief Fund to aid the country in its recovery from Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne.

            The Poitiers have expressed deep concern for the well being of all those adversely affected by the hurricanes and intend the donation to assist in any and all ways possible.

“We have been appalled by the destruction wrought in the wake of the recent hurricanes”, said Sir Sidney, “and alarmed that so many areas in the Family Islands were affected, particularly those with small economies that may not have the capacity to rebound as quickly as some of the larger settlements.

“We join the many Bahamians spread throughout the communities of the world in demonstrating our love and support during this difficult time.”

Prime Minister the Right Honourable Perry G. Christie welcomed the Poitiers’ donation as “a fine example of Sir Sidney’s solidarity with his fellow Bahamians”, which would “have resonance far beyond even its significant dollar value.

“We ourselves must do what we can to rebuild”, said the Prime Minister, “and this gift toward what I call ‘self help restoration’ is but the latest example of the continuing commitment of an outstanding Bahamian.”

Sir Sidney currently serves as The Bahamas Ambassador to Japan and Ambassador / Permanent Delegate of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).