Rodney family gets $870,000 from fund-raising concert

When it matters most: Yesterday Actor Henry Rodney collected the cheque from AIDS Director Desiree Edghill in the company of other performing artists.

On February 12 as the news spread of Haiti’s disaster that claimed at least 200,000 lives, disaster was also unfolding for some Guyanese in Waterloo, Street.
Fire totally destroyed all their earthly possessions, leaving many homeless including Guyanese actor/comedian and teacher, Henry Rodney, as well as six other family members.
The fire destroyed everything and changed the family from being comfortable to having almost nothing other than the clothes on their backs.
Hours later, the newly formed Actors’ Action Association group swing into action and through collaboration with artiste in direct support and other persons in Canada and the USA, a fund-raising concert was planned and staged on January 31, at the National Cultural Centre.
Yesterday, Rodney was full of praise to Guyana and other supporters as he collected $870,000 being monies garnered from the concert.
Desiree Edghill, head of Artistes in Direct Support, and other members of the acting fraternity handed over the cheque.
“My family is happy and ever grateful for the support we have received,” Rodney said as he also expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Works and Communication.
He said his family has also received some amount of furniture from various persons.
He also expressed gratitude to the many persons who made the Cooling the blaze concert possible through their voluntary performances.