The London Office
The annual reception hosted by the Cayman Islands office in London this year continued the office's outreach and fundraising for the hurricane recovery effort here at home.
The reception, held in aid of the Cayman Islands National Recovery Fund (CINRF), included a silent auction. One of the items in the auction, a painting done by Mrs. Carol Owen, wife of former governor John Owen was bought by Felix Francis, son of long-time Cayman resident and best-selling mystery writer, Dick Francis. The proceeds from this sale have been donated to the Recovery Fund.
Both Felix and Dick Francis along with Mrs. Jennifer Dilbert, the Cayman Islands Government Representative in London presented the funds to Dr. Mark Laskin, Executive Director of the National Recovery Fund.
Mrs. Dilbert noted that more funds will be available to CINRF, once the proceeds from all the items auctioned have been received.
"Mrs. Dilbert and the London Office have been instrumental in assisting with our international fundraising efforts," Dr. Laskin noted. "We are very grateful for the generosity of these and all other donors who continue to support the Fund in so many ways."
In February this year the London office held a fundraising dinner, which netted US$85,000 for the recovery effort.
The National Recovery Fund was established on 23rd September 2004 to provide relief for persons adversely affected by Hurricane Ivan through its housing recovery programme aimed at restoring families to suitable living conditions.
The Fund is a private independent Trust administered by a Board of Trustees. The Fund relies solely on donations to carry out its programmes. Some US$9 million have been raised since the Fund's inception.