Local Actor Henry Rodney, who lost his home to fire last month, has been presented with a cheque for $870,000 at the Alexander Street office of the Artists in Direct Support (A.I.D.S). The amount represented the proceeds of “Cooling the Blaze: The Henry Rodney Family Benefit Concert”, a collaboration between The Actors Action Association and A.I.D.S.
Making the presentation were Simmone Dowding, Director of Government Information Agency (GINA) Neaz Subhan, Desiree Edghill and Director of Merundoi Margaret Lawrence. Also present was designer Sonia Noel who outfitted the family with a quantity of clothing from her Mariska label.
Edghill said at the event that the group’s target of $1M and this was met in the form of donations of cash and kind.
Rodney freely expressed gratitude for the help that was extended to him and his family. He said that the family, which has moved to Carmichael Street, has not been separated at any time since the fire.
The concert which took place at the National Culture Centre on January 31, featured songs, dances, skits, stand-up comedy performances, drama and a fashion display.
The performers were Francis Quamina Farrier, Desiree Edghill, Margaret Lawrence, Colin Ambrose, Tamika, Linden Jones, Shelly Bancroft, Winfield James, Ron Robinson, Jennifer Thomas, Russel Lancaster, Negla Brandis, Simmone Dowding, Basil Bradshaw, Classique Dance Company, Excellence Dazzel, Theatre Guild Workshop, Kester D, National Dance Company, Nazim Hussain, Shelita Dance Group, Michelle King, Rajan Tiwari, Michael Ignatius, Richard Narain, The Circle of Love, Sonia Noel, Jessica Xavier, Sean Bhola and Rodney himself.
Henry Rodney and family of six were among the twelve persons who were rendered homeless after the January 12 fire, at 137 Waterloo Street, Georgetown.
Ashanti Goodridge, sister of Rodney’s landlord, who also resided in the building, was later sentenced to five years in jail for setting the building on fire.