Kingston, 20 May 2020 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced that the government will present Telethon Jamaica highlights instead of the traditional concert on Labour Day.

Minister Grange said the highlights package will be broadcast on national television and online.

Telethon Jamaica has raised more than J$55 million towards providing much-needed additional resources to Jamaica’s health services in the wake of covid-19.

Minister Grange said:
“I can announce that we have received the majority of the sums that have been pledged so far to Telethon Jamaica. I say ‘so far’ because we continue to get calls from people who want to contribute to this effort. During the broadcast on Labour Day, we will have a team on hand to take calls and guide people who want to contribute to this very important effort. But people don’t have to wait until Monday; they can contribute right now on the website — www.jatogetherwestand.com — and it will go straight into the account.”

The Telethon Jamaica Highlights show will be broadcast on Labour Day between 5pm and 7pm on TVJ and PBCJ and several social media platforms, including VP Records YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/VPRecords).

Minister Grange said:
“Although it’s a highlights show, it will include new performances from leading and upcoming Jamaican artistes who we were unable to include in the original telethon — such as Buju Banton; J-Summa; Tessellated and Miss World, Toni-Ann Singh — who have given so generously of their time and talent in this national effort. The broadcast will be anchored by Naomi Cowan.”

The programme will also feature performances by Skip Marley, Ziggy Marley, Gloria Estefan, Shaggy, Richie Spice whose song ‘Together We Stand’ was chosen as the theme music for the telethon.

To make a donation online, visit www.jatogetherwestand.com or www.mypaymaster.com.

To donate by telephone, call 876-960-9632-4, 1-866-228-8393 (toll free from Jamaica, the United States or Canada) or +44 0808 189 6147 (toll free from UK and Europe).

Cash/cheque donations are accepted at any Paymaster location in Jamaica.

Labour Day is being observed on Monday, 25 May 2020 under the theme, Labour At Home.

Minister Grange said the theme is in keeping with the need for social distancing and the ban on large gatherings as we fight the spread of covid-19.

Minister Grange is urging Jamaicans to stay home and clean up, paint up and fix up their own homes on Labour Day.

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