Bring On The Spring 2023: Raising Funds in Support of The QEH
We are pleased to return to a dinner format for Bring On The Spring, our annual fundraising event in support of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Barbados, and to announce that the Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados will attend in person as our guest speaker. Bring On The Spring 2023 will also be live streamed to accommodate those unable to attend the dinner. Entertainment will include comedian Jay Martin and the live auction, silent auction and raffle will include two return airline tickets to Barbados as well as Barbados resort hotel accommodations amongst the many attractive items available. See the flyer below.
If you plan to attend the dinner buy your tickets early as only 500 tickets are available. To buy Dinner Tickets or Zoom Access online click on the button below. To buy Dinner Tickets or Zoom Access offline send an e-transfer to treasurerbcf@gmail.com, advise the number of tickets or Zoom Access required and provide your name, mailing and email address and telephone number; or call: Jessica at (905) 472-1188, Sylvester at (289) 923-9318, or Phil at (416) 276-8612.
If you plan to attend the dinner buy your tickets early as only 500 tickets are available. To buy Dinner Tickets or Zoom Access online click on the button below. To buy Dinner Tickets or Zoom Access offline send an e-transfer to treasurerbcf@gmail.com, advise the number of tickets or Zoom Access required and provide your name, mailing and email address and telephone number; or call: Jessica at (905) 472-1188, Sylvester at (289) 923-9318, or Phil at (416) 276-8612.
BCF President Confirms Commitment to the Barbadian Community
October 17, 2022
At our 2022 Annual General Meeting held by Zoom videoconference last Thursday, BCF President Phil Broome reported on the organization’s contributions to the post-secondary education of Barbadian youth through the BCF Scholarships Program and to the health of Barbadians in Barbados and Canada through our donations of medical equipment and cash to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the SickKids-Caribbean Initiative respectively. Since its inception in 2013, to March 31st 2022, BCF donated a total of $382,689 including donations to Camp Jumoke – a Summer Camp for children with Sickle Cell Anemia, and to Dominica and Antigua & Barbuda for disaster relief in the aftermath of hurricanes Maria and Irma.
Mr. Broome also mentioned that our 2023 Bring on the Spring Event is being planned for March 25th as a dinner and live-streamed event, and that this event is being organized to raise $60,000.00 to purchase four Slit Lamps for the Ophthalmology Department at the QEH. He encouraged BCF members and supporters attending the AGM to share this information with family, friends and acquaintances, and to attend the Bring On The Spring Event on March 25th.
Click here to read the President’s Report. You may also read the Treasurer’s Report here.
Mr. Broome also mentioned that our 2023 Bring on the Spring Event is being planned for March 25th as a dinner and live-streamed event, and that this event is being organized to raise $60,000.00 to purchase four Slit Lamps for the Ophthalmology Department at the QEH. He encouraged BCF members and supporters attending the AGM to share this information with family, friends and acquaintances, and to attend the Bring On The Spring Event on March 25th.
Click here to read the President’s Report. You may also read the Treasurer’s Report here.
Joan Hinds Elected To BCF Board
October 17, 2022

A long-time Barbados Canada Foundation volunteer, Joan Hinds was elected to BCF’s board at its October 13th Annual General Meeting, to fill the vacancy created by the departure of Nancy MacKinlay who retired from the Board. Joan was elected together with Sylvester Hunte and Jessica Carrington who were returned to the Board upon the expiry of their most recent terms of service. We are pleased to welcome Joan and thank Sylvester and Jessica for their continued service. We also wish to thank Nancy for her outstanding contribution to BCF and wish her all the very best in her future endeavours.
Thank You For Supporting Barbadian Youth
October 17, 2022
The 2022 BCF Scholarships Raffle draw was held on Zoom videoconference on Thursday, October 13th, and was witnessed by 66 Barbados Canada Foundation members and other supporters. This year 1135 of the 1200 tickets printed were sold, raising $16,920 after payment of the prize monies of $5,200, the lottery license fee and ticket printing expenses. We thank our board members and volunteers for their efforts in selling tickets, and all who purchased tickets, for making this raffle a success.
We are pleased to congratulate the winners:
The annual BCF Scholarships Raffle raises funds for our BCF Scholarships Program, which grants scholarships of $4,000 each. This year we granted twelve scholarships for a total of $48.000, funded by net revenue from last year’s raffle and donations received for sponsored scholarships. Visit the Scholarships Program page and 2022 Scholarships Recipients page on our website for more information.
Please continue to support our scholarships program by your donations and by purchasing tickets for our annual raffle lottery. We also ask that you spread the word about Barbados Canada Foundation to your contacts so that they are informed about our charitable works in aid of Barbadians in Canada and Barbados.
Finally, please join us in congratulating and thanking BCF Scholarships Program Coordinator Penny Walcott, Committee members Janessa Scantlebury and Dr. Sandra Newton, and our external reviewers for their hard work in selecting the scholarship recipients and organizing the scholarships presentation event.
We are pleased to congratulate the winners:
- 1st Prize of $3,000: Ticket #0532: Suzanne Morris of Scarborough, Ontario.
- 2nd Prize of $1,000: Ticket #0018: Zenith Qureshi of Richmond Hill, Ontario.
- 3rd Prize of $700: Ticket #0003: Peter Kastanis of North York, Ontario.
- 4th Prize of $500: Ticket #0485: Nicole Gorkem of Scarborough, Ontario.
The annual BCF Scholarships Raffle raises funds for our BCF Scholarships Program, which grants scholarships of $4,000 each. This year we granted twelve scholarships for a total of $48.000, funded by net revenue from last year’s raffle and donations received for sponsored scholarships. Visit the Scholarships Program page and 2022 Scholarships Recipients page on our website for more information.
Please continue to support our scholarships program by your donations and by purchasing tickets for our annual raffle lottery. We also ask that you spread the word about Barbados Canada Foundation to your contacts so that they are informed about our charitable works in aid of Barbadians in Canada and Barbados.
Finally, please join us in congratulating and thanking BCF Scholarships Program Coordinator Penny Walcott, Committee members Janessa Scantlebury and Dr. Sandra Newton, and our external reviewers for their hard work in selecting the scholarship recipients and organizing the scholarships presentation event.
Blood Chemistry Analyzer Donated to Queen Elizabeth Hospital
October 15, 2022
Our 2022 Bring On The Spring event raised funds to purchase a Piccolo Blood Chemistry Analyzer and reagent panels costing $40,000 for donation to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Used when blood chemistry results are urgently required, this equipment is being utilized in the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department.
While on a visit to Barbados in September, BCF President Phil Broome, accompanied by his wife Betty presented the Piccolo machine to Dr. Sonia Browne - Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr. Ann-Marie Cruickshank and other representatives of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. View the video of the presentation below.
Over the last four years (2019-2022) BCF donated the following equipment costing CAD$92,724 to the QEH:
The equipment BCF donates to the QEH is selected in consultation with the hospital, and BCF is already in discussion with the QEH regarding its 2023 donation, which will be in support of the Ophthalmology Department. Bring On The Spring Event 2023 being planned for March 25th will raise funds for the purchase of this equipment.
While on a visit to Barbados in September, BCF President Phil Broome, accompanied by his wife Betty presented the Piccolo machine to Dr. Sonia Browne - Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr. Ann-Marie Cruickshank and other representatives of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. View the video of the presentation below.
Over the last four years (2019-2022) BCF donated the following equipment costing CAD$92,724 to the QEH:
- 8 Huntleigh Doppler Ultrasound machines and stands.
- 1 Commercial Convection Oven.
- 5 Welch Allyn ECG Machines.
- 1 Piccolo Blood Chemistry Analyzer and reagent panels.
The equipment BCF donates to the QEH is selected in consultation with the hospital, and BCF is already in discussion with the QEH regarding its 2023 donation, which will be in support of the Ophthalmology Department. Bring On The Spring Event 2023 being planned for March 25th will raise funds for the purchase of this equipment.
Planning a Trip to Barbados?
February 9, 2022
Planning a trip to Barbados? Need hotel accommodation? Please consider reserving your accommodation at one of the hotels below - click on the hotel's picture to link to its website. These hotels are loyal supporters of our annual Bring On The Spring Event, organized to raise funds for the donation of medical equipment to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados, and in appreciation of their support we ask that you consider providing them with your business when travelling to Barbados. For air travel we recommend that you contact Marville Travel Ltd, also a long-time supporter of Bring On The Spring Event. We are hopeful that COVID-19 will soon be behind us, and life will return to normal. Stay safe!