“It is in excess of $143,000 and the figures are still rolling in. We got funds from children. There were children who called in $5 and $20 and we were so grateful for that. One of the things we said is that every penny counts whether it was $1, $10, $100 or $1,000,” Smith stated.

The damage The Bahamas sustained is estimated to be in excess of $8 billion and Smith thanked all who were involved in contributing to close in on that mammoth sum.

“We are very grateful to the people of the British Virgin Islands who are a very generous set of persons and always rising to the occasion. This is the third or fourth telethon that we have done and the people of the BVI has not disappointed us,” Smith added.

Efforts to continue

She further said the fundraising efforts will continue and is encouraging persons to donate whatever monies they can to help with the cause.

“This is the first step. We are going to have other projects because the Bahamians have lost a lot. As their Prime Minister would have stated, it is a generational devastation and a generational recovery so it’s going to take a long time for those islands that were impacted to get back to where they were before Hurricane Dorian.”

Meanwhile, Past Rotary District Governor Vance Lewis assured that all monies collected will have a direct impact on improving lives of persons living in The Bahamas.

“There are eight Rotary Clubs in the Bahamas and they have themselves organised in a way that they can actually put this money to work straight on the grounds to the areas which it is needed,” Lewis stated.

Also present at the telethon was Governor Augustus Jaspert, Acting Premier and Past President of the Rotary Club of Road Town Vincent Wheatley, Rotary 7020 District Governor Delma Maduro, Past Assistant Governor Gerry Farara, President of Rotary Club of St Thomas II Dr Jerry Smith and Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Governor Sharleen Dabreo-Lettsome.

Premier Andrew Fahie who is currently out of the territory also made his presence felt by calling during the telethon to encourage persons to pledge and donate.