Shaggy headlines Issa Trust benefit concert

Grammy Award-winning artiste Shaggy will be the headline act for this year's staging of the Issa Trust Foundation's 'For The Children' benefit concert.

The Issa Trust Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Couples Resorts, will mark its 20th anniversary with Shaggy In Concert, a benefit event to raise funds for the construction of the Mary Issa Paediatric and Adolescent Health Centre in Ocho Rios, St Ann.

Set for May 17 at Couples Sans Souci in Ocho Rios, the event will feature the platinum-selling artiste, along with a special guest, young sensation Lila Ike.

"This will be an all-VIP event...an intimate, open-air concert under the stars," said John Dacosta of CYNDICATO, the production team behind the event.

This event will continue the foundation's tradition of merging music and philanthropy, with past stagings headlined by Michael Bolton, Air Supply, Third World, Ky-Mani Marley, Tessanne Chin, and Tarrus Riley.

These concerts have not only provided world-class entertainment, but have also raised essential funds supporting paediatric healthcare initiatives in Jamaica.

"The Issa Trust Foundation is committed to transforming paediatric healthcare in Jamaica, ensuring that every child has access to quality medical care, regardless of their circumstances," said Diane Pollard, CEO of the Issa Trust Foundation.

Since its inception in 2005, the Issa Trust Foundation has provided approximately $41 million in medical donations, organising paediatric medical missions, and implementing sustainable programmes that have helped to reduce neonatal mortality rates. The foundation also focuses on training local healthcare professionals and supporting biomedical engineering education to maintain critical medical equipment.

The upcoming concert aims to generate approximately US$500,000 (approximately $78 million) to support the construction and ongoing operational expenses of the Mary Issa Paediatric and Adolescent Health Centre, a 9,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility designed to fill a critical healthcare gap in St Mary and St Ann.

The facility will provide primary and preventative care, specialty clinics in cardiology, nephrology, oncology, mental health, as well as free vision screening and hearing tests. It will also offer social support services, ensuring a holistic approach to children's healthcare

"Thanks to the generous contributions of our donors and partners, 70 per cent of the construction is completed. However, continued support is crucial as we work towards securing the remaining funds needed to complete the project and ensure its long-term sustainability," Pollard said.