RBTT Bank donated $100,000 towards the fund established to help children of the deceased from the Portland motor vehicle tragedy of December 19. This brings the amount of money donated by individuals, companies and the Government of Jamaica to $2.6 million.

Judith Forth Blake, assistant general manager of marketing and customer care at RBTT, said, "As a socially responsible corporate entity, we feel strongly about the welfare of the youth of our country, and the persons that will be affected by the accident are the surviving children and young dependents of the victims.

"It is our hope that the funds will be managed in a prudent manner so that the survivors will enjoy a promising future," she said.

During his address at the presentation, Minister of State Daryl Vaz thanked the bank for its donation and sought to assure that the money would be held in trust for the children

Addressing immediate needs

Donald Rhodd, member of Parliament for East Portland, said the donation would go a long way towards helping the dozens of children below age 18, who lost their breadwinners. He also noted that efforts were being made to address immediate needs.

Funerals of seven victims have already been held. The remains of three women and four men will be buried on Saturday, January 25, following a funeral service in the Mill Bank Community Centre.

Members of the public who wish to assist families of the deceased, can donate funds to 'A Helping Hand for the Children of Portland's Rio Grande Valley', National Commercial Bank current account 351 077 328.