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The Canaries (St. Lucia) Association UK
was formed on 19th October 1994, following the destruction
caused by Hurricane Debbie to the village of Canaries and surrounding
areas. This Association was the brainchild of Mr. Greenage Hippolyte,
Mr. Simon Cornibert and a few members (originally from Canaries but
residing in the UK) who met to discuss the idea of forming a group to
raise funds to help the village. Their main aim at the time was to
raise sufficient funds to finance an ambulance service for the district
and simultaneously contribute to the regeneration of the area, in the
aftermath of the hurricane. Their perseverance, dedication and
enthusiasm have paid off, and the Canaries Association has since been
providing financial contribution and other valuable and important
service to its community.
In 1995,
the Association set up a sister group in St. Lucia to ensure that its
activities were being co-ordinated at a local level. It also
established links with St. Lucian Associations in Canada to generate
awareness of its activities, and to seek additional support and
assistance for Canaries. This collaboration proved to be very
successful and in 1996, an ambulance was purchased and presented to the
village in the presence of several members and dignitaries. For an
association with such a short history at that time, this was indeed a
magnificent achievement and it excelled the standing of the Canaries
Association within the local community. To-date the group has also
contributed to education – (e.g. sponsoring
educational trips) health and needy causes in the village.
The following is a summary of some of the contributions made by the
Association to the village: -
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Contributed
£7,000 towards the disaster relief funds after the hurricane in
October 1996.
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Assisted
many local individuals with medical expenses in St. Lucia and the
UK.
-
In 1996
assisted a young boy (who arrived in the UK from Canaries suffering
with a serious life threatening illness) with his medical expenses.
He successfully recovered, returned to school in St. Lucia and later
attended St Mary’s College.
-
In 1998 the
Association joined with the Anse-la-Raye Association to raise funds
in honour of the late Hannah Deterville.
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In the
millennium celebration year, the Association donated EC $25 to each
elderly and disabled person in Canaries. This gift has now become a
yearly donation, given to the most deprived people in the village.
The Canaries
Association has pledged to continue working with fellow St. Lucians and
groups to support and assist worthwhile causes on the island.
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